Zico mourns ex-Flamengo president’s death, recalls “personal issues” | OneFootball

Dunshee Upset Flamengo Fans with the Sale of Zico to Udinese (ITA)

Augusto Dunshee de Abranches, former president of Flamengo, passed away last Sunday (07), and his family received condolences from Zico, the greatest idol in the club's history. However, the former player also recalled personal issues with the former manager, who sold the Galinho de Quintino to Udinese (ITA) in July 1983.

“God took a great former president of Flamengo. May he rest in peace and may God comfort his family. I had personal issues with him, but I recognize his importance to our generation,” highlighted Zico in a post on Instagram.

What Were Zico's Issues with Dunshee?

In the early months of his administration, Dunshee faced the challenge of renewing Zico's contract, already an established star of the Brazilian National Team and leader of Flamengo in winning the first Brazilian Championship in 1980. In May 1981, Barcelona (ESP) showed interest in signing the player. Although the idol and the Most Beloved wanted him to stay, the financial situation was complex.

After adjustments to the terms, with installment bonuses and a salary increase, Zico accepted a new two-year contract. To cover the costs, the club considered friendly matches against Boca Juniors (ARG), but the solution came through a partnership with Coca-Cola.

How Did the Sale of Zico Occur?

After winning the Brazilian championship three times, Zico went to serve the Brazilian National Team in Germany. Upon returning, however, he saw newspapers reporting the sale to Italy. Udinese paid 4 million dollars (about 2 billion cruzeiros at the time). This was because Flamengo faced the dilemma of renewing the contract, as Zico would soon turn 32, an age at which he would have the right to a free transfer.

Given the situation, the board decided to accept the offer. The deal was closed on June 1st, and President Dunshee communicated the decision to the leaders of organized fan groups. Photos of the president laughing and pretending to cry with a Flamengo number 10 jersey were on the front pages of newspapers, which angered the fans. Zico would return to the club in 1985, and the sale's proceeds were crucial for purchasing the land for the Ninho do Urubu training center.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.