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Futsal · Interesting Facts

Chapter 8: Players & Legends

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 15 October 2026 · markdown

Ten sub-levels about the people who made futsal: great players, their careers and the coaches behind them.

8.81Konstantin Eremenko

Russia's great pivot: a footballer turned futsal scorer, 972 goals for Dina, a winning penalty in 1999 and a president's chair at FC Dynamo.

Test 1Eremenko's lifeTake a test

  1. He then made his name in futsal with Dina Moskva.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

  2. Russia won the title in Granada.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

  3. He scored another 122 for Russia.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  4. UEFA says he scored over 1,000 goals in his career.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026); UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

  5. He was still its president when he died.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026); UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

  6. He was also vice-president of Russia's futsal association.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

  7. UEFA called him an icon of European and world futsal.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

  8. 1988, 1999, 2001 and 2002.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010); UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. 44, 122 and 972.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. Eremenko had won major titles as a player and as a club president.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010) · recall

8.82Luis Amado

Spain's great goalkeeper: two World Cups, five EUROs, three UEFA Futsal Cups and a shoot-out in 2004.

Test 1Amado's careerTake a test

  1. He went on to win five EURO titles.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  2. Spain then beat Italy 2-1 in the final.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  3. Spain beat Ukraine 5-0 in the semi-final.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  4. A 5-0 against Ukraine and a 2-1 against Russia.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  5. Amado spent his best years with the Madrid club.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  6. He had also won six Spanish league titles.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  7. Many consider him the greatest goalkeeper in the sport's history.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  8. 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  9. 3, 6 and 7.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

  10. It became the UEFA Futsal Champions League in 2018.

    Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com) · recall

8.83Spain's Golden Generation

Kike, Ortiz, Javi Rodriguez and Javi Sanchez: the defenders and captains behind Spain's great run of titles.

Test 1Spain's great playersTake a test

  1. He also holds the record for EURO appearances.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  2. Ortiz won the Champions League in his first season at Barca.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  3. He was a defender with ability and tactical insight.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  4. He had scored at each of the five finals before.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  5. He played for Playas de Castellon.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  6. He was Spain's captain for many years and became a coach.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. He won two World Cups and five EUROs.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  8. Inter until his move with Ricardinho, then Barca from 2021.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. 2001, 2005 and 2010.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. He was a key part of four EURO titles.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

8.84Ricardinho

'O Magico': a fruit-market childhood, six best-player awards, a bicycle kick in 2007 and a first-minute goal in the 2018 final.

Test 1Ricardinho's careerTake a test

  1. He often brought fruit home.

    Source: FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  2. Falcao, his idol, won it four times.

    Source: FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  3. He scored four goals at those finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  4. He scored at all five EUROs he did play.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  5. He later went off injured; Portugal won after extra time.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  6. He finished as top scorer with seven.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. He said futsal had become quicker and more tactical since then.

    Source: FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  8. 2007, 2016 and 2018.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. 2004, 2010, 2013 and 2021.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. He gave up dreams of football once he committed to futsal.

    Source: FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

8.85Falcao's Farewells

How Falcao said goodbye: a World Cup hat-trick and a tribute from Iran in 2016, then 400 goals in his last game for Brazil in 2018.

Test 1Falcao's goodbyesTake a test

  1. Brazil beat Paraguay 4-2.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  2. He scored twice in his farewell to pass 400.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  3. It was 20 years since his first goal for Brazil.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  4. Paraguay had levelled at 2-2 with seven minutes to go.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  5. He had scored a hat-trick in his last World Cup game.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  6. It came in Brazil's last group game.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  7. He was also a two-time Golden Ball winner at the World Cup.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  8. 34, 48, 258 and 401.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016); FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  9. Both in 2016, then October 2018.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016); FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  10. The second was a lob that a TV commentator called a goal from another planet.

    Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

8.86Leo Higuita

The Brazilian-born keeper of Kazakhstan: too short for football at 16, a nickname from Rene Higuita, and a goalkeeper who plays as an outfield player.

Test 1Higuita's storyTake a test

  1. He was born in Brazil and plays for Kazakhstan.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  2. He hoped to meet the Colombian goalkeeper at Colombia 2016.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  3. He then switched to futsal.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  4. He moved to Kairat in 2011.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  5. It sent Kazakhstan to their first World Cup since 2000.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  6. He had won two UEFA Futsal Cups with Kairat by then.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  7. He said it lets him shoot, give assists and sometimes score.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  8. Until 16, 2009, 2011 and 2016.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  9. 2000, 2016, 2021 and 2024.

    Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016); FIFA Training Centre, 'Higuita: the fly goalkeeper' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall

  10. He is comfortable passing with his weaker left foot too.

    Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Higuita: the fly goalkeeper' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall

8.87Ferrao

Brazil's pivot: a 'sting', a teenager far from home, four lean years in Russia, a table-tennis rival of Falcao and a tambourine at the World Cup.

Test 1Ferrao's storyTake a test

  1. He plays as a pivot.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  2. His father had played football for Gremio.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  3. He was a professional at 16.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  4. He watched Brazil win the 2012 World Cup from Siberia.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  5. He has played it since childhood.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  6. He also set up Brazil's first goal for Rodrigo.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  7. He was trying to match Ricardinho's run of awards.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  8. At 14, at 16, at 19, then in 2021.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  9. 2012, 2021 and 2024.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021); FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall

  10. He says that without futsal he would have tried samba.

    Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

8.88Futsal's Favourite Sons

UEFA's pick of Europe's rising stars of the early 2000s: Foglia, Ivanov, Queiros, Simeunovic, Koridze and more.

Test 1Europe's early starsTake a test

  1. He later moved to Stabia.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  2. He scored Belgium's first goal in every qualifier.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  3. He starred for Norilski Nickel.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  4. UEFA called him the leading light of a new golden generation.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  5. He was rated eastern Europe's most gifted player.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  6. He scored ten goals in three qualifiers for Ukraine.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  7. He could switch from defence to attack in an instant.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  8. 20, 21, 24 and 32.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  9. 10, 22 and 38.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

  10. He took Italian citizenship in 1999.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com) · recall

8.89The Great Coaches

From Javier Lozano's five titles with Spain to the three-time club winners Velasco, Vadillo and Nuno Dias.

Test 1CoachesTake a test

  1. Three EUROs and two World Cups.

    Source: UEFA, '25 years on: Futsal EURO begins' (uefa.com, 2021) · recall

  2. It was home to Toledart, runners-up in the 1984 league.

    Source: Atalayar, 'The keys to the indoor football division: Garcia repeats the plan 37 years later' (atalayar.com, 2020) · recall

  3. He won the competition with Inter in 2017 and 2018 and with Barca in 2022.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal Champions League final report: Palma retain title' (uefa.com, 2024); UEFA, 'Futsal Champions League final report: history makers Palma' (uefa.com, 2025) · recall

  4. Vadillo with Palma and Nuno Dias with Sporting.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal Champions League final: Sporting CP 2-0 Palma' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  5. Brazil's 2008 World Cup-winning coach taught there too.

    Source: FIFA, 'All change on the futsal scene' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

  6. He calls caring for his staff 'training the trainers'.

    Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall

  7. Spain beat New Zealand 7-1 in their second game.

    Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall

  8. 1996, 2017 and 2023.

    Source: UEFA, '25 years on: Futsal EURO begins' (uefa.com, 2021); UEFA, 'Futsal Champions League final report: history makers Palma' (uefa.com, 2025) · recall

  9. 3, 7 and 84.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal Champions League final: Sporting CP 2-0 Palma' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. Argentina's 1989 and 1992 coach, Vicente De Luise, taught on the same course.

    Source: FIFA, 'All change on the futsal scene' (inside.fifa.com, 2016) · recall

8.90Scoring Across the EUROs

The four players who scored at five EURO final tournaments, and the long careers behind them.

Test 1Goals across many EUROsTake a test

  1. He was still playing professionally in his 50s.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  2. He scored at the 2001, 2003, 2007, 2012 and 2014 finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  3. His shoot-out kick in 2010 sent Portugal to their first final.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  4. The 2005 finals were played in the Czech Republic.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  5. Javi Rodriguez scored in the same two finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  6. Italy's Saad Assis and Humberto Honorio also scored at four.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. Javi Sanchez scored in the 1999 and 2001 finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  8. 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2014.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2012.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares and Ricardinho.

    Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

Sources

Official sources: FIFA (inside.fifa.com, FIFA Training Centre) and UEFA (uefa.com).

  • UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026)17
  • UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026)11
  • UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com)11
  • UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com)9
  • FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021)9
  • FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016)8
  • FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018)6
  • UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010)5
  • FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021)4
  • UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026); UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010)2
  • FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016)2
  • FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016); FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018)2
  • UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal Champions League final: Sporting CP 2-0 Palma' (uefa.com, 2026)2
  • FIFA, 'All change on the futsal scene' (inside.fifa.com, 2016)2
  • UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010); UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026)1
  • FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016); FIFA Training Centre, 'Higuita: the fly goalkeeper' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)1
  • FIFA Training Centre, 'Higuita: the fly goalkeeper' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)1
  • FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021); FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)1
  • UEFA, '25 years on: Futsal EURO begins' (uefa.com, 2021)1
  • Atalayar, 'The keys to the indoor football division: Garcia repeats the plan 37 years later' (atalayar.com, 2020)1
  • UEFA, 'Futsal Champions League final report: Palma retain title' (uefa.com, 2024); UEFA, 'Futsal Champions League final report: history makers Palma' (uefa.com, 2025)1
  • FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)1
  • FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)1
  • UEFA, '25 years on: Futsal EURO begins' (uefa.com, 2021); UEFA, 'Futsal Champions League final report: history makers Palma' (uefa.com, 2025)1