Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as “Zico” was Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath’s childhood hero. Zico, a native of Rio de Janeiro, scored 52 goals in 72 international matches for Brazil, representing his country in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups while building a national brand that is still well known today.

Little did Zico know that he was inspiring millions of young soccer players around the world during his playing career, including future Everton star and Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath.

“As a kid I wanted to model myself after a great football player,” said Heath. “It wasn’t until Zico came about that I really fell in love with a certain type of playing style. He was everything I wanted to be in a professional athlete. He was my hero.”

Zico was awarded the 1981 and 1983 Player of the Year by World Soccer Magazine and was and often talked about in the same breath as world-great Pele.

For Heath, an opportunity to meet his childhood star never really crossed his mind.

“It was something more of a dream,” he said.

The dream became a reality recently, when Brazilian restaurant Fogo de Chao in downtown Orlando hosted a book signing event for the soccer legend, with guests being able to talk to the Brazilian star in a personal setting. His book, Zico, a lesson in LIVING, reflects on Zico’s life as a soccer player and his rise to a high-ranking position in the Brazilian government.

Heath jumped at the chance to meet the living legend, recalling the brief phone conversation he had before saying yes to the event.

“I heard dinner and Zico, and that’s all I needed to hear,” Heath said with a smile on his face. “When do you get a chance to meet a childhood hero like that?”

Once he arrived at the dinner, Heath said the two, along with other Orlando City coaches, spoke about all things soccer, including their respective playing careers and their future in the sport.

The thing that Heath took away was not, however, the stories of Zico during his playing days. It was the man and his willingness to talk and remain humble, no matter how popular he is.

“I will never forget how humble of a man he was in person,” Heath said with a smile. “You always want the people you look up to to be good people. He was that and much more.”

This piece originally appeared in the Orlando Sentinel.  For exclusive Orlando City news and features, visit www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/soccer today!