Carlo Ancelotti reveals past ‘problems’ with Zico, hails Brazilian icon at Udinese | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti, one of the game’s most decorated coaches and a former Roma midfielder, says he once had problems with Zico, naming the Flamengo great as the best Brazilian he faced.

"Zico, the best Brazilian. It was strange because he played for a team, Udinese, that was not top. In his first five games he scored five free-kicks," Ancelotti told Prime Video Sport Brasil.

In 1983, Udinese completed the most painful sale in Flamengo’s history, signing Zico, who returned to Gávea in the second half of 1985. He did not win a title in that stint, but he played 54 matches and scored 30 goals.

In one meeting that November, Udinese beat Roma when Zico spun past Ancelotti and struck the only goal. The Italian press joked it was "Zico a zero".

The Italian is set to lead Brazil at a World Cup. He has called up Lucas Paquetá, Alex Sandro, Léo Pereira and Danilo, from Flamengo. Brazil open on 13 June against Morocco.

Source: Coluna Do Fla