Rondinelli

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Lore & Background

Rondinelli started his career playing for Flamengo, where he played 394 matches and scored 14 goals from 1974 to 1981, winning the Campeonato Carioca in 1974, 1978, and the two 1979 championships, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 1980. In 1978, he won the Placar's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Bola de Prata award. While playing for Flamengo, he was nicknamed Deus da Raça ('God of Determination') by the club's supporters, due to his will to win. He played three unofficial matches for the Brazil national team: one in 1979 against the Bahia State Combined Team, and two in 1980 against the Brazil Youth Team and the Minas Gerais State Combined Team, drawing the first match and winning the other two. After retiring, he managed Vila Nova and CFZ do Rio. He opened a football academy in his home city, São José do Rio Pardo, named Deus da Raça. In 2003, a documentary titled O Deus da Raça (English: Our God) was released, directed and written by Felipe Nepomuceno and Pedro Asbeg, produced by Raça Filmes.

In Their Own Story

The story of Rondinelli extends beyond Flamengo; he represented Brazil on three occasions: one match in 1979 against the Bahia State Combined Team, and two matches in 1980 against the Brazil Youth Team and the Minas Gerais State Combined Team. His national record shows a draw in the first encounter and victories in the subsequent two. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into management, leading clubs such as Vila Nova in Goiás state and CFZ do Rio in Rio de Janeiro state. His life story remains a testament to a career that balanced elite club dominance with international duty and later mentorship.

Reader's Guide

Rondinelli is a retired central defender best known for his time at Flamengo from 1974 to 1981, where he won multiple state and national titles and earned the nickname Deus da Raça. He played three unofficial matches for Brazil and later managed clubs including Vila Nova and CFZ do Rio.

Did You Know?

• Rondinelli played 394 matches and scored 14 goals for Flamengo.
• He won the Bola de Prata award in 1978.
• His nickname 'Deus da Raça' means 'God of Determination'.
• He played three unofficial matches for Brazil, none of which were official internationals.
• His son, Antônio José Rondinelli Tobias Júnior, is also a footballer.