César Sampaio

César Sampaio was one of the greatest Brazilian defensive midfielders of the 1990s, a symbol of leadership, tactical discipline and aerial prowess. Formed at Santos, he established himself with Palmeiras, a club where he had two successful spells. In his first Palmeiras phase, between 1991 and 1994, he was a central piece in the resumption of titles during the so-called Parmalat Era, winning back-to-back São Paulo state championships and consecutive Brazilian championships in 1993 and 1994. After a successful period in Japanese football with Yokohama Flügels, he returned to Palmeiras in 1998 and, as captain, won the Brazilian Cup in 1998, the Mercosul Cup in 1998 and the unprecedented Copa Libertadores in 1999 — the first in the club's history. For the Brazilian National Team, he reached his peak at the 1998 World Cup in France. He scored the first goal of the tournament with a header in the victory over Scotland in the opening match, and scored two more goals in the Round of 16 against Chile, finishing the runner-up campaign as one of the team's standout performers. After his time at Palmeiras, he transferred to Deportivo La Coruña, Spain, at the end of his career. After retiring from playing, he remained in football as an executive and commentator, always remembered as one of the great captains in Palmeiras' history.