Fio Maravilha, anonymous player goes down in history

João Batista de Sales, better known as Fio Maravilha, is a former Brazilian football player. In Brazil he played for Flamengo, Paysandu Sport Club, CEUB, Desportiva and São Critovão. He is perhaps most famous for the hit single "Fio Maravilha" that was written about him in 1972 by Jorge Ben (later known as Jorge Ben Jor). The musician attended a friendly game between Flamengo and Benfica in the Maracanã Stadium. Fio Maravilha was left out of Flamengo's starting lineup by coach Mario Zagallo, but after a chorus of fans demanded that he play, he was brought in as a substitute. After 33 minutes in the second half he scored the goal ("the goal of an angel") that was immortalized in the song:

...driblou o goleiro
Só não entrou com bola e tudo porque teve humildade.
("...he dribbled past the goalkeeper but did not enter the goal with the ball because he had humility.")

As the result of a legal dispute between Jorge Ben and Fio Maravilha the title of the song was later changed to "Filho maravilha". Later he moved to the United States, where he played for the New York Eagles, the Monte Belo Panthers and San Francisco Mercury. Fio Maravilha still lives in San Francisco, where he worked as a pizza deliverer. He now coaches youth soccer.

In 2007, Fio gave the musician permission to use the name Fio in the title.

Lyrics Paroles en brésilien  en français

E novamente ele chegou com inspiração Com muito amor, com emoção Com explosão, gol Sacudindo a torcida aos 33 minutos Do segundo tempo Depois de fazer uma jogada celestial Em gol Tabelou, driblou dois zagueiros Deu um toque driblou o goleiro Só não entrou com bola e tudo Porque teve humildade em gol Foi um gol de classe Onde ele mostrou sua malícia e sua raça Foi um gol de anjo Um verdadeiro gol de placa Que a galera agradecida assim cantava (x2) Fio Maravilha, nós gostamos de você Fio Maravilha faz mais um pra gente ver