The former player is remembered to this day for breaking protocol at the party in Brasília
The period between the team’s fourth (1994) and fifth (2002) victories was marked by the two governments of sociologist Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002). The president had been Finance Minister under predecessor Itamar Franco and helped implement the Real Plan. Elected in 1994 and victorious again at the polls in 1998, FHC remained in office until the end of 2002 and it was up to him to receive the five-time world champions in Brasília. The ceremony is still remembered today for the somersaults of Vampeta on the Planalto Palace ramp.
The breach of protocol amuses the former player: “I played in fifteen qualifying games, scored against Argentina, played in Quito, Bogotá, La Paz and Buenos Aires. But what stood out was that story about the Planalto ramp. I have fun, because whoever is seen is remembered.” In his memoir, written by journalist Celso Unzelte, “Old Vamp” gives a curious explanation on the subject: “(…) There was a guy there at the World Cup who we called ‘Crazy’. He was the only fan who entered the gathering and stayed with us, having dinner and lunch. Felipão released [a entrada] just for him. He would arrive, do somersaults and say ‘good morning’, ‘good evening’ or ‘good afternoon’. Always after a somersault. His name is Nílson Locatelli, a well-known figure in football, especially among national team players (…).” Vampeta was inspired by him to do the somersaults at Planalto and, when he told his colleagues about his intention to do the performances, he was literally challenged. The five-time champion confirms that he was a little drunk at the time.
The players who competed in the 2002 World Cup, hosted jointly by Japan and Korea, are unanimous in praising the unity of the group, led by Luiz Felipe Scolari. However, according to reports from Vampeta, there was only one crisis, a single stress in the entire journey towards the penta, which involved striker Luizão. The player was not called by the Brazilian coach to warm up during the duel against England, in the quarter-finals, and was upset, as he thought he was capable of entering. Because of this, the athlete would have given Felipão a hard time. Already in concentration, Luizão called the coach’s room and asked to be received by him. The player says that, during the conversation, the two understood each other and started crying.
Witnessing that stress, Vampeta reinforces the importance of group unity: “We stayed in single rooms. Me, Luizão, Dida, Ricardinho and Edilson, for example, knew each other from Corinthians. So the friendship is great, even today. When someone was a little upset, we would go to the other’s room. Unity always prevailed and everyone respected each other. (…) I don’t know if it was the team with the greatest friendship between the players, but there was no confusion during the World Cup, no incidents. The atmosphere only worsened a little when Luizão thought he was going to enter the game against England in place of Ronaldo, because Ronaldinho had been sent off, but Felipão replaced Edílson.”
Before the final against Germany, in Yokohama, the reserves went to the pitch to take part in the official photo. The idea was Vampeta’s: “I was sitting on the bench and thought that if everything goes well, if Brazil wins, there will only be the starting eleven in the photo. I called everyone at the bank, but they said I couldn’t. Then I said: ‘so the photo will come out with twelve’. Then, the whole bank went with me. That was the biggest insight for me.” After the 2-0 victory, during the party on the lawn, Vamp paid homage to Nazaré das Farinhas, his hometown in Bahia, by writing on the yellow shirt: “100% Nazaré”. “Nobody in Brazil accepts being second place, especially when it comes to the Brazilian team. When I played abroad, everyone talked about Brazilian football, mentioning Copacabana, Carnival, the Amazon and, of course, football. Thank God I’m part of this story of becoming a world champion with the national team’s shirt”, highlights Vampeta.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
