Viola

Viola was a charismatic centre-forward and prolific goalscorer who left his mark on Brazilian football in the 1990s. Discovered by Corinthians, he became known for his goal-scoring instinct and his irreverent celebrations imitating a pig, in reference to the Corinthians mascot. At Corinthians, he was a key player in winning the 1990 Brazilian Championship, the first in the club's history, scoring in the final against São Paulo while still very young. He later shone at Palmeiras and Santos, where he formed a powerful attacking partnership and was Brazilian runner-up in 1995, the year he finished as one of the competition's top scorers. He also had spells at Valencia in Spain, Vasco da Gama — where he won the 2000 Brazilian Championship — and other clubs, maintaining an impressive scoring average wherever he played. For the Brazilian National Team, he was part of the championship squad that won the 1994 World Cup in the United States, coming on in extra time during the final against Italy.