http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-taffarel&prov=reuters&type=lgns Thank you Taffarel, for all the victories you helped us to achieve. You have already granted your place in the hall of Brazilian football heros. Good luck in your future projects, whatever they be. And some say that Brazil never had world class keepers... humph!
A nice guy, too! Taffarel played at SC Internacional, down here at Porto Alegre, from 1984-89. Not only a superb goal keeper, but a nice guy, too. He was in that great colorado's squad in the 1987-88 seasons, when we were at two Brazilian Championship finals. He won Placar's Bola de Prata in 1987 and 1988 (as best goalie), and Bola de Ouro in 1988 (as best player overall). These great seasons paved his road to Italy, where he went in 1990 (Parma). As a side note, the 1988 Libertadores were not played by Flamengo and Internacional (brazilian champion and finalist). CBF sent Guarani and Sport instead, for political reasons. With that 1988 squad, Internacional would have been a title contender. Alex.
I like it how they mention "Four years later he was in goal as Brazil lost 3-0 to hosts France." But fail to say "after saving two penalty kicks in the semifinals against The Netherlands."