Felipão & Abel, a meeting that honours a friendship of nearly 50 years | OneFootball

Felipão and Abel came together on RBS TV to celebrate a friendship that has endured fierce rivalry for nearly 50 years. The special aired on Friday night after Big Brother Brasil.

According to Globo.com, Felipão & Abel: o encontro was recorded at the Teatro do Bourbon Country. The programme salutes two of the biggest icons of Gaúcho football.

Their connection began in the early 1980s when football put them on the same pitch, and Abel has said it was not as strong at first. Scolari was a defender at CSA, Abel was a Vasco centre-back with a 1978 World Cup call-up. The goalkeeper Jair, formerly of Grêmio and Vasco, introduced them.

Scolari said they were friends even while facing each other, talking before, during and after games, sometimes sharing dinner beforehand. He stressed that any rivalry lasted only the 90 minutes and ended with the final whistle.

As managers, both valued a trusted ally to exchange ideas. Abel admitted he often rang Scolari to ask about potential targets, receiving detailed explanations that never leaked to the press.

Presented by Alice Bastos Neves, the show also featured Carlos Miguel and Fernando Carvalho. Beyond the bond, the pair revisited their careers and talked about life.

Source: Globo.com