Jose Roberto Gama de Oliveira had just put his country 2-0 up against Holland in the World Cup quarter-final, but that celebration is remembered far more than the game itself, a five-goal thriller as it turned out to become one of the most iconic pictures of the 1994 World Cup. Brazilian striker Bebeto created the ‘rock the baby’ celebration.
Now, almost 23 years later, that baby is doing some celebrating of his own, after signing with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
Mattheus Oliveira, the baby whose birth sparked the celebration, has joined Sporting from another Portuguese side, Estoril.
He said, ‘I chose the Sporting CP because of the greatness of the club,’ he told the Sporting website.
‘I am very happy with this opportunity and I did not even think twice when the opportunity arose. Because of the history of this team and the players who have been here, I also want to create history at Sporting.’
Bebeto tweeted his delight at the news, writing ‘So proud of you, son!!! Continue working hard and with humility you will go far!! Then you can enter into the history of Sporting!!’
Boa meu garoto!! Vitória importantíssima!! @estorilpraiasad mereceu o resultado! https://t.co/J6cc17zyJb
— Bebeto (@bebeto7) May 8, 2017
Bebeto led the line for Brazil in both the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, alongside Romario in the former and Ronaldo in the later.
He reached the final on both occasions, winning in the USA but beaten by hosts France in the second tournament.
During his Brazil career he won 75 caps, scoring 39 times and winning medals at the 1988 and 1996 Olympics, as well as the 1989 Copa America title.
