VITOR: “WE HAVE A ‘KAISER’,” SAID TELÊ!

Vitor Luís Pereira da Silva, known as Vitor, comes from Portela, a city in Rio de Janeiro located in the district of Itaocara, in the Northwest region of Rio de Janeiro, close to Minas Gerais, where many notable players emerged, including the King.

Vitor stood out in several important clubs in Rio de Janeiro, other states and in the Brazilian National Team. He was world champion with Flamengo in 1981, in Japan. His arrival at Flamengo has different versions that can be unravelled by himself or when he writes his book. During the period I worked at the club, I heard several stories about his hiring, which ranged from anecdotes and exaggerations typical of the football environment.

In January 1976, I was recommended to work at Flamengo by college friends Jayme Valente and Sebastião Lazaroni. At the time, the young Vitor entered the youth category, under the direction of Professor Américo Faria, having been promoted after winning the State Infanto Juvenil in 1978. Later, we won the title of two-time junior state champion together in 1979 and 1980.

Among the versions about his signing, one of them suggested that Vitor was initially invited to play for Botafogo, but ended up transferring to Flamengo before being officially registered. Another more plausible version indicates that a Flamengo official, informed about Vitor’s talent, intercepted the player at the bus station, taking him to the club without the intervention of a Botafogo representative.

From the first training sessions, Vitor demonstrated excellent physical, technical, tactical and psychological qualities, standing out in the position of midfielder. He won the starting position in the junior category, under-20, being a crucial part of a two-time champion team in Rio de Janeiro in 1979 and 1980, contributing significantly to the formation of the club’s “Golden Era”, culminating in the 1981 world title.

With the departure of Carpegiane, Vitor took over the starting position in the first team, also standing out in the National Team under the command of Telê Santana. In one of the first call-ups, Telê was impressed by Vitor, referring to him as “Kaizer”, comparing his qualities to the renowned German captain Franz Beckenbauer.

Despite his brilliant performance in the national team, upon returning to Flamengo, Vitor accepted the reserve with humility and professionalism, remaining available and contributing to the club’s achievements. The apex of his career was the victory over Liverpool in 1981, Flamengo’s only world title to date.

Subsequently, Vitor continued to demonstrate leadership and quality in other Rio de Janeiro and national clubs, always loved and respected for his friendliness and simplicity. He is celebrated at the events of the “GRUPO FLA AMIGOS” of that time.

Long live Kaizer! You have my respect and admiration!

P.S. – This is the way I remember the story, with no intention of offending, hurting or hurting. If this occurs, I apologize in advance.

P.S. 2 – A former player of our team reported that Leandro, Vitor and he participated in a training session of Flamengo’s youth team, under the supervision of Américo, Jairo, Seo Bria and Walter Miraglia, standing out in the selection process against the starting lineup. This version was shared in great detail by Hamilton Soares, former player and coach.

P.S. – 3 – VITOR’S OWN VERSION IN THE FLA AMIGOS GROUP WHERE I POSTED THIS STORY:

I arrived at the very end of 76, beginning of 77, right, and really the fact that happened was this, we trained in the 24th. BIB there at the entrance of the Island, Leandro and I arrived together and Professor Américo selected us. But I had come from a stint at Botafogo, where Repórter Loureiro Neto took me to Botafogo. Then Doctor Régis, Flamengo’s Counselor, took me out of Botafogo and took me there where I did this “Test” there at BIB with Prof. Américo Farias. There will even be a Book by Leandro now, where he says that we started together.

Hello, Professor Julio, thank you very much for the affection, for the written words, I think I am not deserving of half of that, but I feel proud and happy to have this admiration from you, a person I admire and respect so much. Thank you very much, really! Thank you Waltinho, Vilmário, all of you (GRUPO FLA AMIGOS). That’s priceless! I get emotional with the affection of all of you!

Professor Julio, thank you once again, I live in Portela, yes, but my city here is Miguel Pereira, Portela belongs to Miguel Pereira.

Copilot (IA)

By Jucele

Julio Leal

Campeão Mundial Under 20 na Austrália em 1993

29 de Maio de 2025