Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal (born 4 April 1964), better known as Branco, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a left back.^[1] A member of the triumphant Brazilian team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Branco was a renowned free kick specialist (as was his international successor, Roberto Carlos) known for his accuracy of placing the ball in the direction that he wanted the free kick to go.^[2]

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Branco

Brescia Calcio 1986-87
Personal information
Full name	Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal
Date of birth	(1964-04-04) 4 April 1964 (age 60)
Place of birth	Bagé, Brazil
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Left back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1980–1982	Internacional	15	(2)
1983–1986	Fluminense	46	(21)
1986–1988	→ Brescia (loan)	50	(12)
1988–1991	Porto	60	(17)
1991–1993	Genoa	71	(18)
1993	Grêmio	6	(1)
1994	Fluminense
1994	Corinthians	20	(4)
1995	Flamengo	35	(9)
1995	Internacional
1996	Middlesbrough	9	(0)
1997	Mogi Mirim
1997	NY/NJ MetroStars	11	(1)
1998	Fluminense	?	(?)
Total		323	(80)
International career
1985–1995	Brazil	72	(9)
Managerial career
2012	Figueirense
2013	Sobradinho
2013	Guarani
Medal record Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Winner 1994 USA Copa América Winner 1989 Brazil Runner-up 1991 Chile
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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At club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980–81), Fluminense (1981–86, 1994 and 1998), Brescia (1986–88), FC Porto (1988–91), Genoa (1991–93), Grêmio (1992–94), Flamengo (1995), Corinthians (1995), Middlesbrough (1996), and MetroStars (1997). Branco's late career in England and the United States was marred by weight problems.^{[citation needed]}

During his spell at Middlesbrough he scored twice, both goals coming against Hereford in the League Cup second round, once at home in the first leg and once away in the second.^[3] However, he played just nine times in the Premier League and by Christmas 1996 he had left the club on a free transfer after less than a year.^{[citation needed]}

Branco appeared 72 times for Brazil, between April 1985 and February 1995, and scored nine goals.^{[citation needed]} After sitting out the first four games at the 1994 World Cup, he replaced Leonardo on the left after Leonardo was banned for a deliberate elbow on Tab Ramos in the second-round game against the USA. Branco scored with a memorable late free kick from 35 metres to eliminate the Netherlands in the quarter-finals,^[4] and took one of Brazil's penalties in the shootout when they beat Italy in the final. He played in a total of twelve matches in three World Cup tournaments.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2006, Branco was the general manager overseeing Brazil national youth teams.^{[citation needed]}

From 2007 to December 2009, he worked as general manager of Fluminense youth teams.^{[citation needed]}