Brazilian · Vitória, Brazil · Born 16 February 1964Brazilian footballer regarded as one of the greatest strikers of the 1990s, World Cup winner in 1994 and prolific goalscorer for club and country
José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, known throughout his career as Bebeto, was born in Rio de Janeiro's São Cristóvão neighbourhood on 16 February 1964, and rose through Brazilian club football with Vitória and Flamengo before establishing himself as one of the country's most clinical finishers in the late 1980s. His combination of pace, composure, and precise finishing made him a natural fit for Brazil's national side heading into the 1990s. Bebeto formed a lethal attacking partnership with Romário for Brazil's victorious 1994 World Cup campaign in the United States, the pair combining for crucial goals throughout the tournament as Brazil won a record fourth World Cup title. His goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-final produced one of football's most enduring celebrations: after scoring, Bebeto mimicked rocking a baby in his arms alongside teammates Romário and Mazinho, a tribute to the recent birth of his son that became one of the most imitated goal celebrations in the sport's history. At club level, Bebeto enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, helping transform the Galician club into a genuine La Liga title contender during the mid-1990s, before later playing for Sevilla and returning to Brazil to finish his career with Flamengo and Vitória, among other clubs. He earned 75 caps for Brazil, scoring 39 goals, and also represented his country at the 1998 World Cup, where Brazil finished runners-up. Bebeto's playing style — instinctive, clinical, and unselfish in setting up teammates — made him one of the most respected forwards of his generation, and his 1994 World Cup triumph remains the high point of a career that helped define Brazilian football in the early 1990s.
Iconic baby-rocking celebration after scoring at 1994 World Cup
His baby-rocking celebration at the 1994 World Cup was performed to celebrate the birth of his son Mattheus — who later became a professional footballer himself.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical finisher with excellent positioning and movement in the box
Lasting Impact
One of Brazil's greatest strikers, key member of 1994 World Cup winning team
Career Honours
- World Cup 1994
- Copa América 1989
- 75 Brazil goals in 75 apps
- Copa América 1997
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitória | 1982–1982 | 1 | 1 |
| Flamengo | 1983–1989 | 286 | 144 |
| Vasco da Gama | 1989–1992 | 115 | 59 |
| Deportivo La Coruña | 1992–1996 | 154 | 104 |
| Flamengo | 1996–1996 | 21 | 7 |
| Sevilla | 1996–1997 | 6 | 0 |
| Vitória | 1997–1997 | 20 | 18 |
| Cruzeiro | 1997–1997 | 1 | 0 |
| Botafogo | 1998–1999 | 58 | 27 |
| Toros Neza | 1999–1999 | 8 | 2 |
| Kashima Antlers | 2000–2000 | 8 | 1 |
| Vitória | 2000–2000 | 3 | 0 |
| Vasco da Gama | 2001–2001 | 8 | 2 |
| Al-Ittihad | 2002–2002 | 5 | 1 |
 Brazil | — | 75 | 39 |
Brazilian Athletes