Branco, real name Claudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal, (born April 4, 1964 in Bage , Brazil) is a football defender, a deadly free kick taker, and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup.
On the club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980-81), Fluminense (1981-86), Brescia (1986-88), FC Porto (1988-91), Genoa (1991-93), Grêmio (1992-94), Flamengo (1995), Corinthians (1995), Middlesbrough (1996), and MetroStars (1997). Branco's late career in England and the United States was marred by weight problems.
Branco appeared 72 times and scored nine goals for Brazil. After sitting out four out of the first five games at the 1994 World Cup, he scored on a late memorable free kick from 40 meters to eliminate the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, and had one of Brazil's penalties in the shootout that beat Italy in the finals.
