One steps down, another comes in. José Roberto Gama de Oliveira debuted in 1983. He was 19 years old.
Of course, he was already nicknamed – Bebeto. The young striker was already noticed in Brazil, so baby-faced youngster did not last with his original club – Vitoria (Salvador). He was snatched so quickly by Flamengo, that for many his debut really happened with the famous club.
It was impressive beginning and observers were confident that new great star was born. The only question was how big Bebeto was going to be… He became a big star, as expected, but there was no way to see the future in 1983 – Bebeto, fragile and prone to injuries, was to be an object of heavy criticism and even some disappointment. Controversial player. It is easy to say this today, but not back then – in 1983 the sky was the limit, Brazil got new hope, Flamengo – exciting talent. But football was changing – what was possible in the 1950s was no longer the case. Bebeto was 19 – not 16 – and considered still too young for a full regular spot. He needed to get stronger, mature – that was the philosophy in the 1980s. How this mentality affected his career and his development is hard to say, but may be a bit negatively: considered fragile, he remained fragile. Well, controversies unfolded later. Let us close 1983 with this hopeful youngster.