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Flamengo idol arrived in the Asian country in the early 1990s and became one of the most important figures in the professionalization and popularization of Japanese football
The strength demonstrated by the Japanese team in the 2026 World Cup brought back to light a story that began more than three decades ago.
A large part of the transformation of football in the country is due to the arrival of Arthur Antunes Coimbra, Zico, in Japan in the early 1990s.
The former number 10 of the Brazilian team found a still amateur league, helped establish a new professional culture, and became an idol of the Kashima Antlers.
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His influence continued after retirement. Zico worked in the club’s management, led the Japanese national team, and received a statue in his honor.
Zico arrived in Japan before the creation of the J.League
Zico had ended his time at Flamengo when he received an unexpected invitation to resume his career in Japanese football.
The Brazilian, who played in the World Cups of 1978, 1982, and 1986, agreed to play for Sumitomo Metals, now Kashima Antlers.
The scenario he found was completely different from that of the major centers of world football.
The Japanese league was still amateur, while the teams were directly linked to large companies.
The arrival of a player with Zico’s experience and prestige helped accelerate the change in this model.
According to information presented by O Globo, Fifa, and the J.League itself, the Brazilian actively participated in this transformation.
Brazilian experience helped build a new mentality
Zico brought to the club a vision based on training, discipline, responsibility, and professional commitment.
This attitude influenced players, managers, and fans during the period of reorganization of Japanese football.
The J.League was officially launched in 1993, marking the beginning of the professional era of the national championship.
The Kashima Antlers emerged as one of the most representative teams of this new moment.
The presence of the “Galinho de Quintino” also increased the Japanese population’s interest in the sport.
His contribution, therefore, was not limited to the matches played on the field.
Brazilian became one of the greatest symbols of Kashima Antlers
Zico definitively ended his career as a player after defending the Japanese club.
The connection with Kashima Antlers, however, remained strong in the following years.
The former player served as technical director between 1996 and 2002, assisting in the team’s sports development.
His importance was marked in the club’s history and institutional identity.
A statue of Zico was installed in the Kashima stadium as recognition for the work done in Japan.
The tribute represents the admiration built since his arrival in the Asian country.
Command of the Japanese national team expanded Zico’s influence
Zico took over the Japan national team in 2002, remaining as coach until 2006.
The team played 64 matches under his direction.
The period ended with 36 wins, 13 draws, and 15 losses, totaling a success rate close to 63%.
The Japanese national team was also led by the Brazilian in the 2006 World Cup, held in Germany.
Japan was eliminated in the first phase of the competition.
The last match ended with a victory for Brazil by 4 to 1.
The result did not erase the importance of the work developed during that cycle.
Return to Kashima maintained the bond with Japanese football
Zico returned to Kashima Antlers in 2018 to once again serve as technical director.
A change of role occurred from the 2022 season, when he began working as an advisor to the club.
The position allows the Brazilian to attend matches and contribute to different sports areas of the institution.
His presence reinforces a partnership built over more than 30 years.
Stint in Japan also transformed the idol’s financial life
Zico acknowledged that his experience in Japan was important both sportingly and financially.
The former player revealed, during an interview on Maurício Meirelles’ YouTube channel, that he began to build a more solid wealth in the country.
The salary received at Flamengo provided a comfortable life but did not allow for large investments, according to the idol himself.
The earnings achieved in Japanese football created opportunities for him to start investing and organizing his wealth.
Legacy remains present in Japan’s growth
Japan is still seeking its first World Cup title in history.
The country’s evolution, however, can be observed in the organization of the clubs and the competitiveness shown by the national team.
Players like Hidetoshi Nakata, Yasuhito Endo, and Shunsuke Nakamura helped strengthen this trajectory.
The work initiated by Zico holds a central place in this process.
The former corporate league transformed into a professional championship, while football secured a permanent place in Japanese culture.
Do you believe that Zico received adequate recognition in Brazil for his contribution to the growth of Japanese football?
