Fifa salutes Corinthians idol Roberto Rivellino’s unmatched World Cup long-range scoring record | OneFootball

With the 2026 World Cup nearing, Fifa has spotlighted Corinthians icon Roberto Rivellino. According to Meu Timao, he remains the only player with five World Cup goals from outside the area.

That long-range haul is an outright record, with Diego Forlán, Lothar Matthäus and Lionel Messi next on four. Fifa also dubbed him O Chute Atômico.

His precision lit up 1970 in Mexico, when he scored against Czechoslovakia in the group opener, Peru in the quarter-final and Uruguay in the semi-final.

In 1974 in Germany, he repeated the theme, scoring against Zaire in the opener, then East Germany and Argentina in the second phase.

He was pivotal in Brazil’s 1970 triumph and also featured at the 1974 and 1978 finals.

Those campaigns also included fellow Corinthians, goalkeeper Ado in 1970, and full-back Zé Maria in 1974. Rivellino is among 25 from the club to play at World Cups.

Fifa’s tribute arrives despite a painful Corinthians exit. After losing the 1974 Paulista final to Palmeiras, he was unfairly blamed by sections of fans and media and soon sold to Fluminense.

He had been used deeper that day to help the marking, a tactical choice that drew disproportionate criticism.

For Corinthians, he made 474 appearances, 467 as a starter, scoring 144 goals and providing 120 assists. His honours were the 1966 Rio-São Paulo, 1971 Torneio do Povo and 1973 Torneio Laudo Natel.

Source: Meu Timao