This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
Featured here is an early 1980s A.S. Roma jersey worn by Paulo Roberto Falcão, known simply as Falcão. The Brazilian midfielder joined the Serie A powerhouse in 1980 during his prime and immediately proved a more-than-worthy investment for the club. A deep-lying playmaking with an eye for goal, Falcão was an elegant and technically superior player for club and country. In his 107 appearances from 1980-85 with Roma, Falcão scored 22 goals and assisted on countless others. Roma supporters eventually nicknamed him the “Eighth King of Rome” in admiration of his solid play during their 1982-83 Seria A league title. Other accolades as a member of the club included two Coppa Italia titles and a European Cup runners-up when Roma lost to Liverpool on penalty kicks. His supremacy in Rome came to a bitter end when he caught the injury bug and decided to seek medical attention on his knee without team approval. He was terminated from the club and would spend the remainder of his playing career back home in Brazil. He is still widely regarded as one of the greatest Roma and Brazil National Team players of all time. He was inducted into the A.S. Roma Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
This incredibly rare match worn A.S. Roma jersey is a vintage football artifact for the ages. The collared, sweater-like maroon shirt with yellowish-gold trim around the neck and sleeve ends shows ample wear with signed of stretching, pilling and multiple runs through the wash. The old Serie A logo (sewn-on piece of red, white and green rubber) appears on the left chest and the “Playground” manufacturer's patch is sewn on the right chest. Roma’s historic “as roma spa” wolf head patch is sewn on the right sleeve. Falcão’s large number "5" is embossed on the back in yellowish gold. Inside the rear collar is a hang tag labeled "5" (we assume for his jersey number). Plenty of images online of Falcão sporting this style shirt, which dates to the 1980-82 era. Includes LOA from a longtime Brazil National Team coordinator who apparently acquired the jersey directly from Falcão.