Biography
Who is Mazinho?
Early life and career beginnings
Mazinho: Born Iomar do Nascimento in Santa Rita, Brazil, the athlete eventually became known globally by his nickname. He started his professional path playing as a full-back before transitioning into a defensive midfield role during the early 1990s. His early career included stints with domestic clubs such as Santa Cruz Recreativo Esporte Clube, E.C. Vitória, and Vasco da Gama.
Club football career
Throughout his playing days, he competed for various teams across different countries. In Brazil, he played for clubs including Palmeiras and Vasco da Gama. He secured the Campeonato Brasileiro title three times while playing for these teams. His performance earned him the Brazilian Silver Ball award in 1987 and 1988.
His career expanded into European leagues as well. He spent time playing in Italy with US Lecce and Fiorentina. In Spain, he represented Valencia CF, Celta de Vigo, and Elche. He remained a versatile presence on the field, often adapting his defensive skills to suit the tactical requirements of his different managers.
International success with Brazil
The athlete earned 35 caps while representing the Brazil national team. His debut occurred during a friendly match against Peru in May 1989. That same year, he contributed to Brazil winning the Copa América tournament. He also played for the national squad during the 1991 Copa América.
His most well-known achievement occurred at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where Brazil emerged as champions. During the quarter-final match against the Netherlands, he participated in a famous goal celebration with teammates Bebeto and Romário. Also, he was part of the Brazilian team that secured a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Coaching and personal life
After finishing his playing career, he moved into team management. In January 2009, he accepted a position as the head coach for the Greek club Aris. He remained in this role until November 2009, when he was replaced by Héctor Cúper. This remains his primary documented experience as a professional manager.
He is the father of two professional football players, Thiago Alcântara and Rafinha. His wife, Valéria Alcântara, was a professional volleyball player. He stands 176 centimeters tall, a physical attribute he maintained throughout his years as a professional athlete in both South America and Europe.
Birthday and age
Mazinho was born on April 8, 1966, which makes Mazinho 60 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Mazinho shares the date with 60 other famous people.
Explore more
