On this day, July 17, but in 1994, Brazil were crowned world champions for the fourth time in history. In front of a packed Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the team led by Carlos Alberto Parreira ended a 24-year drought to give the country its fourth star.
After a goalless draw in 120 minutes, the Canarinha gained the upper hand on penalties in a final that remains etched in the memory of all fans. Three decades later, we look at some members of that squad.
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Taffarel
The historic goalkeeper, who became immortal in that penalty shootout, is the goalkeeper coach for the Brazilian national team and Liverpool.
Jorginho
The right-back of the 1994 World Cup champions returned to the Brazilian national team as Dunga’s assistant between 2006 and 2010 before launching his own coaching career. He went on to manage major Brazilian clubs such as Bahia, Flamengo, and Vasco da Gama, among many others. Until May, he was in charge of Buriram United in Thailand, where he won the latest championship.
Aldair
After his retirement in 2004, the former central defender turned to footvolley, a sport in which he represented Flamengo for many years. He also excelled in showbol.
Márcio Santos
Four years after his retirement in 2004, the other central defender of that ¡team had a big scare when he spent five days hospitalized due to a cardiovascular accident, but he was discharged without any sequelae. Between 2020 and 2021, he was the football coordinator for Santos.
Branco
The left-back of that time is now the coordinator of youth teams at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Previously, he was the football director for Fluminense and also worked as a coach at clubs like Figueirense and Guarani.
Mauro Silva
Retired in 2005 as a legend of Deportivo La Coruña (a city where a street was named in his honor), he is now the vice president of the São Paulo Football Federation.
Dunga
Probably one of the most exposed after retirement, Dunga coached the Seleção in two terms: first between 2006 and 2010, and then between 2014 and 2016. Today, he runs a charity project to help homeless people in Porto Alegre.
Mazinho
Responsible for the Alcântara Family Foundation, dedicated to helping the needy through sports, Mazinho remained connected to football through his sons Thiago and Rafinha Alcântara.
Zinho
Now an ESPN Brasil commentator, he had a stint as a head coach, leading Miami FC in 2010 and Nova Iguaçu in 2011. In 2015, he was an assistant coach at Vasco da Gama.
Bebeto
The legendary forward turned to politics in 2011 and has been a federal deputy since 2022. His son, Mattheus Oliveira, also pursued a career in football.
Romário
The other member of the famous attacking duo in that World Cup also entered politics, serving as a senator for Rio de Janeiro since 2015. Although he retired in 2009, Romário decided to return to the field in the second division of the Carioca 2024 after being elected president of América-RJ.
