Branco (footballer)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Vaz and the second or paternal family name is Leal.

Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal (born 4 April 1964), better known as Branco, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a left back.^[1] A member of the triumphant Brazilian team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Branco was a free kick specialist with accurate placing of the ball.^[2]

Branco

Brescia Calcio 1986-87
Personal information
Full name	Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal
Date of birth	(1964-04-04) 4 April 1964 (age 61)
Place of birth	Bagé, Brazil
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Left back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1980–1982	Internacional	15	(2)
1983–1986	Fluminense	46	(21)
1986–1988	→ Brescia (loan)	50	(12)
1988–1991	Porto	60	(17)
1991–1993	Genoa	71	(18)
1993	Grêmio	6	(1)
1994	Fluminense
1994	Corinthians	20	(4)
1995	Flamengo	35	(9)
1995	Internacional
1996	Middlesbrough	9	(0)
1997	Mogi Mirim
1997	NY/NJ MetroStars	11	(1)
1998	Fluminense	?	(?)
Total		323	(80)
International career
1985–1995	Brazil	72	(9)
Managerial career
2012	Figueirense
2013	Sobradinho
2013	Guarani
Medal record Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Winner 1994 Copa América Winner 1989 Brazil Runner-up 1991 Chile
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

At club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980–81), Fluminense (1981–86, 1994 and 1998), 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.^{[citation needed]}

During his spell at Middlesbrough he scored twice, both goals coming against Hereford in the League Cup second round, once at home in the first leg and once away in the second.^[3] However, he played just nine times in the Premier League and by Christmas 1996 he had left the club on a free transfer after less than a year.^{[citation needed]}

International career

Branco appeared 72 times for Brazil, between April 1985 and February 1995, and scored nine goals. He took part in three World Cups for the Seleção (1986, 1990 and 1994).^{[citation needed]}

In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the Brazilians were considered favourites.^[4] During an injury break in the round of 16 match against Argentina, Branco drank from a water bottle provided by Argentine physio Miguel di Lorenzo. The drink was allegedly spiked with tranquillisers; two days later Branco said he felt drowsy following the drink, and Brazil were eliminated 0–1. Dubbed the "holy water" scandal by the Argentinian media, Diego Maradona later insinuated the allegation to be true in a 2004 interview.^[5]

After sitting out the first four games at the 1994 World Cup, he replaced Leonardo on the left after Leonardo was banned for a deliberate elbow on Tab Ramos in the second-round game against the USA. Branco scored with a memorable late free kick from 35 metres to eliminate the Netherlands in the quarter-finals,^[6] 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.^{[citation needed]}

Manager

As of 2006, Branco was the general manager overseeing Brazil national youth teams.^{[citation needed]}

From 2007 to December 2009, he worked as general manager of Fluminense youth teams.^{[citation needed]}

Honours

Club

Internacional^[7]

• Campeonato Gaúcho: 1981

Fluminense^[7]

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1984
• Campeonato Carioca: 1983, 1984, 1985

Porto^[7]

• Primeira Liga: 1989–90
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1990

Grêmio^[7]

• Campeonato Gaúcho: 1993

International

Brazil^[7]

• FIFA World Cup: 1994
• Copa América: 1989