Brazil target fifth five-a-side gold with 'Paralympic Pele'
[Image description: Jefinho.]
With flicks and tricks aplenty, Brazil's five-a-side football team are bringing a touch of samba magic to the Paralympics as they target a fifth straight gold in Tokyo.
The nation that gave the world the "jogo bonito" beautiful game has just as much panache in five-a-side, which is played by athletes with visual impairments.
Brazil have won gold at every Paralympics since the sport debuted in 2004, and boast arguably its greatest player in Jefinho -- known as the "Paralympic Pele".
They started their campaign in Tokyo with a 3-0 win over China on Sunday, before beating Japan 4-0 a day later.
"Football is in the blood of Brazilians -- this is a big pressure, because the Brazilian people always expect to win," captain Ricardinho told AFP.
Jefinho, who was born with glaucoma, began playing with a ball when he was young but lost his sight at the age of six.
He continued to play with his friends, wrapping the ball in a plastic bag so he could hear it rustling.
Now he is looking to win his fourth Paralympic gold in Tokyo, and he breaks into a wide grin when his name is mentioned in the same breath as Brazilian legend Pele.
"It's sensational to be compared to the greatest footballer ever," said the 31-year-old.
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