Zico, a former Seleção Brasileira player and coach, received the title in recognition of his contributions to Brazilian football. He is one of only 14 people to have received the honour, alongside notable figures such as Tancredo Neves and Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
In a separate development, Seleção Brasileira coach Carlo Ancelotti has announced a list of players to be called up for upcoming friendly matches against Australia and India. Zico has expressed his approval of the selection, praising the inclusion of Flamengo's Pedro, who he believes should have been called up for the last Copa America.
The Seleção Brasileira will have three matches in the Data Fifa period, starting with a match against Australia on September 25 in Townsville, followed by a second match against Australia on September 29 in Brisbane, and finally a match against India on October 3 in Calcutá.
Zico has also spoken about the need for a more balanced approach to selecting players for the Seleção Brasileira, citing the lack of opportunities for young Brazilian players and the over-reliance on foreign-based players. He believes that a more focused approach to developing young players in Brazil is needed to ensure the country's continued success in international football.
The Seleção Brasileira's upcoming matches will be a key test of Ancelotti's selection and tactics, and will provide an opportunity for Brazilian players to stake their claim for a place in the team.