FIFA honours Corinthians idol Roberto Rivellino for historic World Cup record | OneFootball

With the World Cup countdown under way, FIFA has paid tribute to Corinthians great Roberto Rivellino, celebrating his unmatched tally of five goals scored from outside the box at the finals.

According to Meu Timao, FIFA’s official platforms are revisiting iconic tournament feats before 2026, and Rivellino leads the long-range list ahead of Diego Forlán, Lothar Matthäus and Lionel Messi, who each have four.

Nicknamed "Reizinho do Parque" and immortalised by FIFA as "O Chute Atômico", his precision from distance defined Brazil’s campaigns in 1970 in Mexico and 1974 in Germany.

The salute comes despite a painful departure from Corinthians after the 1974 Paulista loss to Palmeiras, when sections of fans and media unfairly blamed him and he was soon sold to Fluminense.

In that decisive match he played deeper to aid the marking, a tactical call that eased the job of the opposing defence and drew heavy criticism.

Even away from the club, Rivellino forged a legendary career, a key figure in Brazil’s 1970 World Cup triumph and a participant at the 1974 and 1978 tournaments.

He has been described by Diego Maradona as the greatest ever and is cited by former midfielder Neto as his biggest idol. For Corinthians he played 474 matches, starting 467, scored 144 goals and provided 120 assists, winning three titles, the Torneio Rio-São Paulo in 1966, the Torneio do Povo in 1971 and the Torneio Laudo Natel in 1973.

Source: Meu Timao