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POSITION: Forward
FULL NAME: José Reinaldo de Lima
DATE OF BIRTH: 11-01-1957
PLACE OF BIRTH: Novo Lima (Minas Gerais)
CAREER DETAILS:
Atlético Mineiro: 1973-85
Palmeiras: 1985
Rio Negro: 1986
Cruzeiro: 1986
Hacken (Sweden): 1987
Telstar (Holland): 1988
ATLETICO HONOURS:
8 State Championships (1976, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85)
PERSONAL HONOURS:
Brazilian Championship Top Scorer: 1977 (28 goals)
Brazilian Championship Team of the Year: 1977, 1983
THE KING OF THE KINGS
Reinaldo is quite simply the greatest player in the history of Atlético Mineiro Football Club. 'The King' was the nickname bestowed upon him by the fanatical fans of the club, bearing testament to his undisputable status as Atlético's most prominent footballer. Although delivering the club their second Brazilian Championship proved too elusive an objective for Reinaldo, the magically talented forward twice elevated the club to the Brazilian Championship final, and inspired Atlético to eight State Championships, during an illustrious twelve year spell in the Black and White stripes. This statistic was made all the more distinguishable when taking into consideration, the quality of the Cruzeiro side from this same era. Cruzeiro - Atlético's perennial rivals from the state of Minas Gerais - boasted a side comprising the likes of Raul, Nelinho, Wilson Piazza, Jairzinho and Joãozinho. Yet Atlético,
undeterred and inspired by the unsurpassable presence of Reinaldo, were rampant. Between the years of 1978 and 1983, Atlético won an unprecedented six consecutive State Championships.
Atlético Mineiro snapped up Reinaldo as a teenager in 1971 and the club's decision was vindicated when the prodigy dazzled during the Taça São Paulo de Juniores one year later. Despite his youth, the forward had become accustomed to vicious challenges from opponents, as he progressed through Galo's youth and reserve ranks. By 1973, this had resulted in Reinaldo needing what proved to be the first in a long line of operations on his left knee. As it transpired, this recurring problem was to restrict his career.
In 1976, Reinaldo won his first title as a part of the Galo first team, when the club triumphed in the 1976 Campeonato Mineiro. For the standout attacker, it was to be the perfect appetizer for further glory. In 1977, the 20-year-old produced arguably the finest season in his prosperous career. He scored a then-record of 28 goals in the Brazilian Championship; a record that was not bettered until 1997, when Edmundo netted 29 for Vasco da Gama. Thanks in large to his quantum of goals, Atlético Mineiro reached the Campeonato Brasileiro final for the second time. With Reinaldo in the side, Galo were awesome. Without his presence, the side was inelegant and in the tournament's deciding game, against São Paulo, the team had to make do without him. Subsequently, the match ended goalless and in the lottery of a penalty shoutout, São Paulo emerged victorious.
In 1978, Galo embarked upon their renowned run of six consecutive State Titles. During this period, Reinaldo outshone every player performing in the state. However, he was not satisfied. A player of his immense class was deserving of the county's greatest honours, and the Brazilian Championship was still the objective.
In 1980, a star-studded Atlético side once again reached the final of Brazil's most prestigious club competition. Their opponents were to be Flamengo, who themselves had comprised somewhat of a super-team. In the first leg inside a packed out Mineirão Stadium, a Reinaldo goal gave the hosts a precious 1-0 victory. The return fixture, in the Maracanã, proved to be one of the most memorable finals in history. Atlético - now under the tutelage of Procópio Cardoso - exhibited delightful counter-attacking football. Likewise, Flamengo - inspired by the legendary Zico - produced a crowd-pleasing brand of offensive football. Despite two goals from Reinaldo, it was Flamengo who came out on the right side of a 3-2 result. Individually, Reinaldo had excelled himself yet once again, the honour he so desperately craved had eluded him.
Despite continuing to amass goals, knee injuries had begun to take their toll. In 1985, after winning his eighth State Title, Reinaldo departed the club that he had shared mutual affection with for over a decade.
It's easy to distinguish Galo's legends through their most prominent attributes. People will always associate Éder with his ferocious shooting, Dario with his heading ability and Luisinho with his expert tackling. This remains impossible with Reinaldo. Not because the forward was lacking expertise in any one quality, but because the King simply had it all. The incisive dribbles, the defence-splitting passes, the touch, the balance and the clinical finishing - Reinaldo was extraordinarily talented.
He remains the club's record goal scorer and stands unquestionably, as the finest player in Atlético Mineiro's history.
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Rankings prepared by Mark Lowdon based on criteria including length of service, achievements and performances. Players have been judged on the period they spent at the club only.
Last page update: April 5 2005
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