In the late 1970s and early 80s, Zico was a global sensation and his move to Udinese in 1983 sparked bewilderment across the globe.
The small Brazilian was a renowned set piece taker, creator, and visionary, often operating in the number 10 role. Referred to as the “White Pele”, Zico made over 200 appearances for Brazilian side Flamengo before moving to Udine. Also, he played at two World Cups and won South American footballer of the year in 1977, 1981, and 1982.
Zico had the world at his feet. So eyebrows were raised when the all-action midfielder landed in Udine in the summer of 1983 to start his new life as Udinese’s talisman.
Zico and Udinese: A Shock to the Footballing World
A player with exceptional technical ability, creativity, speed, footwork, and intelligence, Zico’s signature was one of the most sought-after in Europe in the early 1980s.
The midfielder was performing at the top of his abilities. It was no surprise that 1982/83 Serie A champions Roma were eager to get Zico in their squad to complement stars like Roberto Pruzzo and Falcão. Similarly, Milan was rebuilding for their climb back to the top of Italian football after winning Serie B and they wanted Zico, as did Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It was a major shock that Zico and Udinese were linked in July 1983. At the time, the Zebrette’s only previous achievements were as winners of Italy’s lower leagues, Serie B and C. The club had no major honors and was barely an established Serie A club.
However, Zico rejected the lucrative offers from Rome, Milan, and Madrid and opted for a challenge for Udinese. But the move was not without controversy. Udinese’s competitors started to question how a club of its size could raise the estimated $4 million to sign a player like Zico.
The transfer from Flamengo was finalized in July 1983. But, the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) president Federico Sordillo rejected Zico’s registration. As a result, the move initially fell through.
Outrage spread throughout Udine and the Friulani fans were desperate to get their man. Udinese supporters protested the decision and took to the streets. Just days later, the FIGC council approved the transfer on 22 July and the Zico and Udinese partnership began.
Immediate Impact
Before Zico landed on Italian soil, he already had an impact on Udinese. Following confirmation of his transfer, 26,611 Bianconeri fans purchased season tickets for the 1983/84 campaign.
When Zico’s plane touched down, around 5,000 fans greeted him at the airport. He then took a short car trip to the Là di Moret hotel and was again met by 1,000 roaring fans.
After a low-profile pre-season where Zico familiarised himself with his new Italian surroundings, the time came for his competitive debut in September 1983. Fans were intrigued by how the Brazilian master could propel Udinese to improve on their sixth-placed Serie A finish from the previous season.
Following the build-up and pressure, Zico appeared unaffected. In his first match, the Brazilian scored twice and assisted once in a 5-0 away win at Genoa. The manner of Zico’s man-of-the-match performance immediately endeared Udinese fans to their new star player.
On the way to victory, Zico displayed all the exciting traits that earned him a stellar reputation in Brazil. His first goal involved some clever footwork and a powerful strike. Then, his assist was a perfectly weighted through ball from the halfway line for Pietro Paolo Virdis to finish.
But the final goal was the blockbuster moment. Zico’s stunning 25-yard free-kick dipped over the wall and glided into the top corner to get the fans off their seats. It also gave them a glimpse of what was to come.
Zico hit the ground running and he was unaffected by his new playing environment in Serie A. After four matches, the midfielder scored six goals. Now Zico and Udinese were dreaming of breaking into the European places for the 1983/84 campaign.
By February, Zico scored 17 goals and was living up to his reputation as a creative footballing magician.
A Lone Wolf
Despite his individual impact, Udinese had not progressed as a team. The inconsistent form of eight wins from 21 games left the Zebrette in a similar position to the previous season. As the 1983/84 campaign reached its conclusion, the dream of breaking into Serie A’s elite slipped.
A string of injuries led to a spell on the sidelines for Zico. He missed five of the final nine matches and Udinese continued to struggle on the pitch. Five losses in their last eight matches saw them slip to a disappointing ninth-place finish.
“I Am Like a Fish”: The End of Zico’s Serie A Stint
Without question, Zico had an impact on Serie A on an individual level. He scored 19 goals and finished second as the league’s top scorer behind Michel Platini in 1983/84. Also, the Brazilian was voted 1983 Player of the Year by World Soccer Magazine for his flair and standout performances.
Yet the impact for Zico and Udinese as a collective was not as expected. The second season saw the love between Zico and the Friulani start to crumble.
Despite scoring and assisting in a 2-2 draw at Milan and a 5-0 home win against Lazio in Udinese’s first two league matches of the 1984/85 season, Zico had little impact for the remainder of the campaign. He missed 14 league matches through injury or suspension and ended the season with just three goals.
Off the pitch, the Brazilian star was plagued by issues too. He was charged with tax evasion and faced a potential prison sentence. The dip in form and potential legal punishment was enough to convince Zico to return to Flamengo after the 1984/85 season concluded.
After he departed Stadio Friuli, Zico spoke honestly about his failure at Udinese and explained to the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Watan in 1985, “I am like a fish, I only can play in Brazilian teams.”
The statement carried plenty of truth. Zico returned to Brazil and played a further four seasons with Flamengo and became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
However, Udinese fans still adore Zico today due to his entertaining season in 1983/84 and for raising the profile of the club, not just in Italy, but across the globe.