# Chapter 8: Players & Legends

Futsal · Chapter 8: Players & Legends · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/futsal/interesting-facts/chapter-8-players-legends/)

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

## 8.81 Konstantin 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 1: Eremenko's life

- He then made his name in futsal with Dina Moskva. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010))
- Russia won the title in Granada. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010))
- He scored another 122 for Russia. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))
- He was also vice-president of Russia's futsal association. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010))
- UEFA called him an icon of European and world futsal. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010))
- 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))
- 44, 122 and 972. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Eremenko had won major titles as a player and as a club president. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal mourns Konstantin Eremenko' (uefa.com, 2010))

## 8.82 Luis Amado

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

### Test 1: Amado's career

- He went on to win five EURO titles. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- Spain then beat Italy 2-1 in the final. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- Spain beat Ukraine 5-0 in the semi-final. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- A 5-0 against Ukraine and a 2-1 against Russia. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- Amado spent his best years with the Madrid club. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- He had also won six Spanish league titles. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- Many consider him the greatest goalkeeper in the sport's history. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- 3, 6 and 7. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))
- It became the UEFA Futsal Champions League in 2018. (Source: UEFA, '2005: Luis Amado' (uefa.com))

## 8.83 Spain's Golden Generation

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

### Test 1: Spain's great players

- He also holds the record for EURO appearances. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Ortiz won the Champions League in his first season at Barca. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- He was a defender with ability and tactical insight. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- He played for Playas de Castellon. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- 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))
- He won two World Cups and five EUROs. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Inter until his move with Ricardinho, then Barca from 2021. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 2001, 2005 and 2010. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- He was a key part of four EURO titles. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))

## 8.84 Ricardinho

'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 1: Ricardinho's career

- He often brought fruit home. (Source: FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- Falcao, his idol, won it four times. (Source: FIFA, interview with Ricardinho before the 2021 World Cup (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- He scored four goals at those finals. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))
- He finished as top scorer with seven. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 2007, 2016 and 2018. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 2004, 2010, 2013 and 2021. (Source: UEFA, 'Who are the greatest players in futsal history?' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))

## 8.85 Falcao'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 1: Falcao's goodbyes

- Brazil beat Paraguay 4-2. (Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018))
- He scored twice in his farewell to pass 400. (Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018))
- It was 20 years since his first goal for Brazil. (Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018))
- Paraguay had levelled at 2-2 with seven minutes to go. (Source: FIFA, 'Falcao hits 400 on fairytale farewell' (inside.fifa.com, 2018))
- 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))
- It came in Brazil's last group game. (Source: FIFA, 'Falcao bows out as a legend but not a champion' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))

## 8.86 Leo 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 1: Higuita's story

- He was born in Brazil and plays for Kazakhstan. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- He hoped to meet the Colombian goalkeeper at Colombia 2016. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- He then switched to futsal. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- He moved to Kairat in 2011. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- It sent Kazakhstan to their first World Cup since 2000. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- He had won two UEFA Futsal Cups with Kairat by then. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- He said it lets him shoot, give assists and sometimes score. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- Until 16, 2009, 2011 and 2016. (Source: FIFA, 'Kazakhstan's Higuita excited for Colombia trip' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- 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))
- He is comfortable passing with his weaker left foot too. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Higuita: the fly goalkeeper' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025))

## 8.87 Ferrao

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 1: Ferrao's story

- He plays as a pivot. (Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- His father had played football for Gremio. (Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- He was a professional at 16. (Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- 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))
- He has played it since childhood. (Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- 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))
- 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))
- At 14, at 16, at 19, then in 2021. (Source: FIFA, 'Ferrao: Falcao was my whipping boy at table tennis' (inside.fifa.com, 2021))
- 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))
- 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))

## 8.88 Futsal's Favourite Sons

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

### Test 1: Europe's early stars

- He later moved to Stabia. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- He scored Belgium's first goal in every qualifier. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- He starred for Norilski Nickel. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- UEFA called him the leading light of a new golden generation. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- He was rated eastern Europe's most gifted player. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- He scored ten goals in three qualifiers for Ukraine. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- He could switch from defence to attack in an instant. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- 20, 21, 24 and 32. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- 10, 22 and 38. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))
- He took Italian citizenship in 1999. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal's favourite sons' (uefa.com))

## 8.89 The Great Coaches

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

### Test 1: Coaches

- Three EUROs and two World Cups. (Source: UEFA, '25 years on: Futsal EURO begins' (uefa.com, 2021))
- 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))
- 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))
- Vadillo with Palma and Nuno Dias with Sporting. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal Champions League final: Sporting CP 2-0 Palma' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Brazil's 2008 World Cup-winning coach taught there too. (Source: FIFA, 'All change on the futsal scene' (inside.fifa.com, 2016))
- 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))
- Spain beat New Zealand 7-1 in their second game. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024))
- 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))
- 3, 7 and 84. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal Champions League final: Sporting CP 2-0 Palma' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))

## 8.90 Scoring Across the EUROs

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

### Test 1: Goals across many EUROs

- He was still playing professionally in his 50s. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- Javi Rodriguez scored in the same two finals. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))
- 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2014. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2012. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares and Ricardinho. (Source: UEFA, 'Scoring in most Futsal EUROs: Goncalo Alves, Kike, Roman Mares, Ricardinho' (uefa.com, 2026))

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

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