Branco (footballer)

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Branco, real name Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal, (born April 4, 1964 in Bagé, Brazil) is former Brazilian footballer who played as a left back. A member of the triumphant Brazilian team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Branco was a renowned free kick specialist (as was his international successor, Roberto Carlos) known for the habit of placing the valve of the ball in the direction that he wanted the free kick to go.

On the club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980-81), Fluminense (1981-86)(94)(99), Brescia (1986-88), FC Porto (1988-91), Genoa (1991-93), Grêmio (1992-94), Flamengo (1995), Corinthians (1995), Middlesbrough (1996), and MetroStars (1997). Branco's late career in England and the United States was marred by weight problems.

Branco appeared 72 times for Brazil, between April 1985 and February 1995, and scored nine goals. After sitting out the first four games at the 1994 World Cup, he scored with a memorable late free kick from 35 metres to eliminate the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and took one of Brazil’s penalties in the shootout when they beat Italy in the final. He played in a total of twelve matches in three World Cup tournaments.

As of 2006, he was the general manager overseeing Brazil national youth teams.

Currently (2007), he works as the director of football in Fluminense.

v • d • e Brazil squad – 1986 FIFA World Cup 1 Carlos • 2 Édson • 3 Oscar • 4 Edinho • 5 Falcão • 6 Júnior • 7 Müller • 8 Casagrande • 9 Careca • 10 Zico • 11 Edivaldo • 12 Paulo Vitor • 13 Josimar • 14 Júlio César • 15 Alemão • 16 Mauro Galvão • 17 Branco • 18 Sócrates • 19 Elzo • 20 Silas • 21 Valdo • 22 Leão • Coach: Santana

v • d • e Brazil squad – Copa América 1989 Winners (4th Title) 1 Taffarel • 2 Mazinho • 3 Mauro Galvao • 4 André Cruz • 5 Branco • 6 Ricardo Gomes • 7 Bebeto • 8 Geovani • 9 Valdo • 10 Tita • 11 Romário • 12 Acácio • 13 Josimar • 14 Aldair • 15 Alemao • 16 Cristovao • 17 Dunga • 18 Renato Gaúcho • 19 Baltazar • 20 Paulo Silas • 21 Charles • 22 Zé Carlos • Coach: Lazaroni

v • d • e Brazil squad – 1990 FIFA World Cup 1 Taffarel • 2 Jorginho • 3 Ricardo Gomes • 4 Dunga • 5 Alemão • 6 Branco • 7 Bismarck • 8 Valdo • 9 Careca • 10 Silas • 11 Romário • 12 Acácio • 13 Mozer • 14 Aldair • 15 Müller • 16 Bebeto • 17 Renato Gaúcho • 18 Mazinho • 19 Ricardo Rocha • 20 Tita • 21 Mauro Galvão • 22 Zé Carlos • Coach: Lazaroni

v • d • e Brazil squad – Copa América 1991 Runners-up 1 Taffarel • 2 Mazinho • 3 Cléber • 4 Ricardo Rocha • 5 Mauro Silva • 6 Branco • 7 Renato Gaúcho • 8 Valdir Benedito • 9 Careca • 10 Neto • 11 Joao Paulo • 12 Guedes • 13 Cafu • 14 Wilson • 15 Marcio Santos • 16 Lira • 17 Márcio Bittencourt • 18 Raí • 19 Luís Henrique • 20 Mazinho II • 21 Silvio • 22 Ronaldo • Coach: Falcão

v • d • e Brazil squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup Winners (4th Title) 1 Taffarel • 2 Jorginho • 3 Ricardo Rocha • 4 Ronaldo • 5 Mauro Silva • 6 Branco • 7 Bebeto • 8 Dunga • 9 Zinho • 10 Raí • 11 Romário • 12 Zetti • 13 Aldair • 14 Cafu • 15 Márcio Santos • 16 Leonardo • 17 Mazinho • 18 Paulo Sérgio • 19 Müller • 20 Ronaldinho • 21 Viola • 22 Gilmar • Coach: Parreira