Quiet exit of big star, but also a quiet beginning of new star: Dunga debuted in 1980 for Inernacional (Porto Alegre). Everybody knows him today – nobody knew him then, so his early photos may not even ring a bell for most football aficionados:
Nothing like the familiar picture of the captain of 1994 World champions
Dunga was 17-years old talent in 1980, but he did not start with a bang – nothing like Maradona, who was famous even before making his professional debut. On the contrary – Dunga was not heard of before 1983, the first year the spirited and gritty defensive midfielder became a regular for Internacional, wearing number 5.
There was nothing in his humble beginning suggesting that Carlos Caetano Bledom Verri will be one of the only two men (the other is Spanish star Xavi) to play in World Cup, Olympic games, Confederations Cup, and continental championships. But he debuted in that year and slowly climbed to the very top of world football.