The legendary Carlos Alberto Parreira leaves the UCI

The former Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led Canarinha to win the 1994 World Cup, has left the intensive care unit after improving his health, as announced on Monday by the Samaritano Barra hospital in Rio de Janeiro where he is admitted.

The 83-year-old technician has shown clinical improvement in his general condition. According to the medical report, he is lucid and cooperative and his kidney function has stabilized, which is why he has been transferred to a semi-intensive care unit.

Parreira has been fighting Hodgkin’s lymphoma since 2023 and was admitted to the hospital on June 16 due to lung inflammation. At the end of June, he underwent surgery after his condition worsened, requiring him to be connected to a respirator.

A legendary career on the bench

Parreira holds the record for the most appearances in World Cups as a coach: in addition to his two spells at the helm of the Seleção in 1994 and 2006, he also coached Kuwait in 1982, to the United Arab Emirates in 1990, to Saudi Arabia in 1998 and to South Africa in 2010.

He reached the zenith of his career on the bench in 1994 by leading Brazil to victory in the United States with the attacking duo formed by Romario and Bebeto. It was the fourth of Canarinha’s five world titles, with which they also won the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 Confederations Cup.

In addition to coaching Brazil in the 1994 and 2006 World Cups, Parreira was part of their coaching staff in the 1970 World Cup (the third won by Brazil). Pelé against Italy in the final) and was technical coordinator in the 2014 edition, with Luiz Felipe Scolari on the bench