Exclusive: Rivellino recalls Corinthians' fasting, relationship with fans and origin of the nickname "Patada Atômica"

- By Lucas Barreiros/Central do Timão Editorial

Corinthians' historic idol, Roberto Rivellino gave an exclusive interview to Central do Timão, and in a chat about Alvinegro and the many phases of his career, he spoke about aspects such as his relationship with the fans, the pressure to end the title drought, the painful defeat in the final of the 1974 Campeonato Paulista. For the former midfielder, one of the most striking aspects of his time at the club was the closeness between athletes and fans.

"It was fantastic, it was wonderful. And we were chasing a title. Corinthians was already in line, and I got the boat moving. The title of São Paulo champion was what Corinthians wanted."

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Rivellino recalled the routine of the times when he was still a young youth player and highlighted his daily interaction with the fans at Parque São Jorge.

"I would get up at 5:00, 5:30 in the morning, because I lived in the South Zone and needed to go to the East Zone, where Fazendinha was. I would take the bus, cross the city to train. Then I would return home and my mother would wait for me for lunch."

According to him, the relationship with the fans was very different from what currently exists. The former player also highlighted what it was like to interact with journalists.

"We would enter Parque São Jorge and meet the fan, that regular at the club. There was direct contact because we talked. Every time there was someone saying: 'How are you? Are we going to win on Sunday?'. There were those nice conversations."

"The press was there every day. We spoke to journalists daily, stopped to give interviews. Sometimes I took a reporter in the car because we took practically the same route."

When talking about the long period without titles experienced by Corinthians, Rivellino explained the size of the pressure that existed at the time over Paulistão's title.

"Actually, in the past, in my time, the problem was being São Paulo champion. You could even be world champion, oddly enough, but what Corinthians fans really wanted was the São Paulo title."

The former number 10 especially remembered the 1974 campaign, when Corinthians came close to ending their fast.

"In 1974, we hit the post. The first game was played at Pacaembu. We drew 1-1. In my opinion, it was a game we could have won, because we played well. I'm not saying that, if the decision had been played at Pacaembu, we would certainly have won. But the possibility would be greater, because Pacaembu was, in a way, our home."

The journey home

"What happened there? Ah, I left. I left thinking about life. I didn't look at anyone. Because, more than anyone, I wanted to be champion. So I left. I went on foot. I left on foot, thinking about all that."

"I still think about that today. Because, in truth, I think God looked at me and said: 'Unfortunately, you won't be champion for Corinthians'."

Atomic Patada, football schools and backstage

Other topics of conversation were the origin of the nickname "Patada Atômica", the work developed in football schools and also the brief experience he had behind the scenes at Corinthians after ending his career as a player.

"Since I was a kid, I've always kicked hard. I even broke a friend's arm with a ball. The same thing happened in the Brazilian national team. In 1973, we played a game in Tunisia and I ended up breaking their goalkeeper's arm. I always had that strong kick. When I went to Mexico, they started to explore this characteristic a lot. As I really kicked very hard, the nickname 'Atomic Kick' came about."

Currently involved in training projects for young athletes, the former player regrets the lack of spaces for children to play football like they used to.

"In the past, we played football in the street, there was space. Today those spaces are gone. Where are you going to play ball? I flew kites, played spinning tops, marbles and football. Football was morning, afternoon and night."

"You go to a restaurant and you see a child staring at the screen all the time. Parents often hand over their cell phone so their child can keep quiet. The boy spends the whole day there."

Recalling the lightning pass behind the scenes at Corinthians, Rivellino admitted that the experience did not live up to expectations.

"I wanted to collaborate with Corinthians, help the club, but I ended up disappointed. It was an experience that I didn't like. Honestly, I regret it."

At 80 years old, the Corinthian idol still follows the world of football closely. Even without having won the much-desired São Paulo title with Timão, he remains one of the biggest names in the club's history and one of the main references for generations of many fans.

Watch!

The full interview can be seen on the Central do Timão channel, on YouTube. Click here and follow along!

The post Exclusive: Rivellino remembers Corinthians' fasting, relationship with fans and origin of the nickname "Patada Atômica" first appeared on Central do Timão.

Exclusive content: Rivellino recalls Corinthians' fasting, relationship with the fans and origin of the nickname "Patada Atômica" appears first in Central do Timão.

Source: Timao Central