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| Zico posed with the participants of his football camp. Kevin Estrada |
TAGUIG--Brazilian football legend Zico was impressed in the Filipino's passion for the beautiful game as he caps off his weekend tour in the country by holding a clinic for a select high school booters on Sunday in McKinley Hill.
"I hope this is just the beginning, and hopefully one day the Philippines can qualify for the World Cup," said the 1980's superstar, who had memorable career with his boyhood club Flamengo as well as stints with Italian side Udinese and J. League's Kashima Antlers where he also holds legendary status.
It was also during the clinic where he met with PFF president Mariano Araneta, where he wished the Azkals the best with the crucial home Asian Cup Qualifier just two months away.
“We are so honored to have a Brazilian legend like Zico visit the Philippines,” enthused Araneta on the former Asian Cup winner who guided Japan to its third continental triumph in 2004.
The clinic was attended by youth footballers ages 13-16, as he was helped by a crew of coaches led by former Malditas skipper Marielle Benitez, and ex-Loyola netminder Gui Hasegawa who served as Zico's translator.
Apart from that, he hold another clinic for the underprivileged youth in Mandaluyong's SPARTA the previous day and for him seeing them having fun with football was his motivation to continue giving back to the kids.
"I could see lots of kids enjoying football today and that is what motivates me (to do these kinds of projects)," the man dubbed as the "White Pele" commented.
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