Brazilian football legend José ‘Bebeto’ Gama de Oliveira , famous for his iconic ’embala neném’ celebration , will be one of the keynote speakers at the 2025 edition of SBC Summit Rio.
The lecture “Celebrating Sport in Brazil” will open the event’s educational program on Wednesday, February 26. During the presentation, Bebeto will reflect on his brilliant career – from winning the FIFA World Cup in 1994 to his transition into politics.
Bebeto commented: “Football is in the DNA of Brazilian culture, impacting the lives of almost every Brazilian in a significant way. “I am very excited to participate in SBC Summit Rio and share my journey – both as a professional player and as someone who has had to lead, adapt and grow at different stages in life. I hope the lessons I have learned can inspire and resonate with people far beyond the world of sports.”
Born in Salvador, Bebeto began his football career in 1981 as part of Bahia ‘s youth team . The following year, he transferred to Vitória , where he continued in the youth ranks before earning his place in the main team.
After an impressive debut season with Vitória, Bebeto joined Flamengo in 1983. At the Rio de Janeiro club, he scored 151 goals in 285 matches, winning important titles such as the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (1983, 1987) and the Campeonato Carioca (1986).
During his time at Flamengo, Bebeto was called up to the Brazilian national team for the first time. He represented Brazil in three editions of the FIFA World Cup, reaching the final in two of them. With 52 goals in 98 matches, he is the sixth highest scorer in the history of the Brazilian national team.
In 1989, the year Brazil won the Copa América , Bebeto transferred to Vasco da Gama. In his first season with the club, he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and was the competition’s top scorer in 1992.
In 1992, Bebeto joined Spanish football, playing for Deportivo La Coruña . There, he scored 118 goals in 133 appearances, was the top scorer in the 1992–93 season and won the Copa del Rey in the 1994–95 season.
The year 1994 was a decisive one for Bebeto on the international stage. He played a crucial role in the Brazilian national team winning their fourth World Cup title. During the tournament, he immortalized his image with the iconic ‘rock the baby’ celebration after scoring in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands.
After spells at clubs such as Flamengo, Sevilla, Vitória, Cruzeiro, Botafogo, Toros Neza (Mexico), Kashima Antlers (Japan) and Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Bebeto ended his career in 2002.
Between 1996 and 1999, Bebeto had brief spells with several clubs. In 1996, he returned to Flamengo before moving to Sevilla , Spain, where he played for half a season in 1997. In July of the same year, Bebeto returned to Vitória , and was once again called up to the Brazilian national team. During his time at Vitória, he contributed to the team’s conquests of the Campeonato Baiano and the Copa do Nordeste . Bebeto later moved to Cruzeiro , where he played one match in the Club World Cup against Borussia Dortmund.
In 1998, the star player joined Botafogo , one of the giants of Brazilian football, where he achieved several important milestones in his career. He scored the 500th official goal of his career and was called up for the 1998 World Cup in France. Bebeto made history by becoming the oldest player to score for the Brazilian national team in a World Cup. In addition, he played a fundamental role in Botafogo’s success, helping the club win the Rio-São Paulo Tournament and finishing as runner-up in the Copa do Brasil that year.
Between 1999 and 2002, Bebeto played for several clubs around the world. In 1999, he played half of the season in the Mexican league for Toros Neza. In 2000, he transferred to Kashima Antlers in Japan, before returning to Vitória for a short period. In 2001, he returned to Vasco da Gama and, at the age of 38, ended his professional career playing for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
In the years after his retirement from football, Bebeto had a brief experience as a coach for America Football Club , a traditional club from Rio de Janeiro, leading the team during the 2009 Campeonato Carioca. In the 2010 elections, Bebeto entered politics, being elected state deputy by the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro as a representative of the Democratic Labor Party (PDT). Bebeto served as a state deputy , being reelected to the position in the 2014 and 2018 elections.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, commented: “Having Bebeto join us at SBC Summit Rio this February is an extraordinary honor.
“Bebeto’s ability to adapt, lead and thrive in such diverse environments is truly inspiring. These lessons extend beyond football, offering valuable insights that I believe will have a profound impact on our industry and be transformative for everyone involved.”
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Source: SBC News BR
