Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal (born 4 April 1964), better known as Branco, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a left back. A member of the Brazilian team which won the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Branco was a free-kick specialist with accurate control of the ball.
During a match against Argentina in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Branco was allegedly drugged with Rohypnol during the first half. The following day, he reported that he had felt dizzy after drinking water handed to him by assistant coach Galíndez under Carlos Bilardo’s orders, and noticed that an Argentina national team player had been prevented from drinking from the same bottle. In December 2004, Diego Maradona insinuated during a TV interview that Branco's accusations were true. Bilardo later said "I don't know, but that doesn't mean that it didn't happen, I can't say for certain that it didn't happen."
At club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980–81), Fluminense (1981–86, 1994 and 1998), Brescia (1986–88), FC Porto (1988–91), Genoa (1991–93), Grêmio (1992–94), Flamengo (1995), Corinthians (1995), Middlesbrough (1996), and MetroStars (1997). Branco's late career in England and the United States was marred by weight problems.
During his spell at Middlesbrough, he scored twice, both goals coming against Hereford in the League Cup second round, once at home in the first leg and once away in the second. However, he played just nine times in the Premier League, and in late 1996 he left the club on a free transfer.
Branco appeared 72 times for Brazil, between April 1985 and February 1995, and scored nine goals. He took part in three World Cups (1986, 1990, and 1994).
In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the Brazilians were considered one of the favourites. Brazil were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in the round of 16. During an injury break in the match, Branco drank from a water bottle provided by Argentine physio Miguel di Lorenzo. The drink was allegedly laced with tranquillisers. Branco said he felt drowsy after the drink. Dubbed the "holy water" scandal by the Argentinian media, Diego Maradona later insinuated the allegation to be true in a 2004 interview.
After sitting out the first four games at the 1994 World Cup, he replaced Leonardo on the left after Leonardo was banned for a deliberate elbow on Tab Ramos in the second-round game against the United States. Branco scored with a late free kick from 35 metres to eliminate the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and took one of Brazil's penalties in the shootout when they beat Italy in the final. He played in a total of twelve matches in three World Cup tournaments.
Branco is of Lebanese descent.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1984
Campeonato Carioca: 1983, 1984, 1985
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1990
Branco at National-Football-Teams.com