Rivelino was one of the great creative forces of Brazilian football, a moustachioed midfielder blessed with a thunderous left foot and a repertoire of tricks that dazzled the watching world. He was a key member of the fabled Brazil side that won the 1970 World Cup, contributing ferocious free-kicks and precise long-range strikes.
Credited with popularising the ‘elástico’ feint, he starred for Corinthians and later Fluminense, and his blend of power and artistry made him a beloved figure. His dead-ball ability and vision marked him out as one of the most gifted playmakers of his generation.