ABSTRACT
It was September 2012. Zico, the head coach of the national team of Iraq, arrived at the stadium in Japan for the Japan vs. Iraq match in the final round of the Asian qualifying competition of the FIFA World Cup 2014. Prior to kick-off when Zico was introduced, Japanese supporters let out a huge cheer and Zico reciprocated by waving his hands. Earlier, despite being the coach of the opponent team, Zico was surrounded by fans who begged for his autograph at the Japanese airport. The following day Zico visited the training grounds of Kashima Antlers, the J. League club he helped build, interacting with the players and the head coach, Jorge de Amorim Campos (Jorginho), renewing their friendship. There is a bronze statue of Zico at the home stadium of the Antlers for which he played. In the Cheerio Shopping Centre, always crowded with local shoppers, there is a square named after Zico where a huge bronze statue stands. To this day, the Japanese considers Zico the great ‘God of Soccer’.
