Paulo Roberto Falcão

Paulo Roberto Falcão, born on 16 October 1953 in Abelardo Luz, Santa Catarina, is one of Brazil’s most celebrated midfielders. Known simply as Falcão, he became a central figure in Internacional’s greatest era and later gained immense admiration in Italy with AS Roma. His elegant style, tactical intelligence, passing range and ability to arrive in attacking positions earned him the nickname “O Rei de Roma” (“The King of Rome”) during his Italian career.

Falcão joined Internacional’s senior team in 1973 and quickly became indispensable. He helped the Porto Alegre club win five consecutive Campeonato Gaúcho titles from 1974 through 1978. Internacional also won the Brazilian national championship in 1975 and 1976. The 1979 title was especially historic: Internacional completed the Campeonato Brasileiro undefeated, the only club to achieve that distinction in the competition’s traditional format. Falcão was the captain and leading midfielder of that side, which included players such as Valdomiro, Batista and Jair.

In 1980, Falcão moved to Roma, becoming one of the first Brazilian players to make a major impact in Italian football during that period. Under coach Nils Liedholm, he was fundamental to Roma’s 1982–83 Serie A title, the club’s first league championship since 1942. Roma also won the Coppa Italia in 1980–81 and 1983–84 during his time there. Falcão’s performances in Rome made him a cult hero among supporters, and he was admired for combining Brazilian technique with the positional discipline demanded by Serie A.

For Brazil, Falcão was a prominent member of the famous 1982 World Cup team coached by Telê Santana. Playing alongside Zico, Sócrates, Cerezo and Éder, he represented a side widely remembered for its attacking football, despite failing to win the tournament. In the decisive second-round match against Italy at Barcelona’s Sarrià Stadium, Falcão scored Brazil’s equalising goal to make the score 2–2. Italy ultimately won 3–2 through Paolo Rossi’s hat-trick.

After retiring as a player, Falcão worked as a coach, commentator and football executive. He managed Brazil’s national team between 1990 and 1991 and also coached clubs including Internacional, América of Mexico, Bahia and Sport Recife. His reputation, however, rests above all on his playing career: a commanding midfielder who shaped Internacional’s golden generation, conquered Italy with Roma, and embodied the artistry of Brazil’s 1982 side.