Branco (footballer)

Branco

Personal information
Full name	Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal
Date of birth	April 4, 1964 (1964-04-04)
Place of birth	Bagé, Brazil
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Left Back (retired)
Club information
Current club	Figueirense
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1980–1981	Internacional	15	(2)
1981–1986	Fluminense	46	(1)
1986–1988	Brescia (loan)	50	(2)
1988–1991	FC Porto	60	(7)
1991–1993	Genoa	71	(8)
1993–1994	Grêmio	6	(1)
1995	Flamengo	?	(?)
1995	Corinthians	20	(4)
1996	Middlesbrough	9	(0)
1997	MetroStars	11	(1)
1998	Fluminense	?	(?)
National team
1985–1995	Brazil	72	(9)
Teams managed
2012–	Figueirense
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

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.

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. However, he played just nine times in the FA Premier League and by Christmas 1996 he had left the club on a free transfer after less than a year.

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.

From 2007 to December 2009, he worked as general manager of Fluminense youth teams.

External links

• Profile at National football teams