Imagine that you are a legend of Brazilian football, and you are not Brazilian at all. Hey, Brazilian!

There are not many of them, and one of them is without a doubt a guy from Majdanpek who got the nickname after the most famous Hollywood smasher.

From Radnički from Niš in 1988 until Flamengo in 2011, Dejan Rambo Petković played football out of love and that was obvious. He did not move from the Red Star to Real Madrid in 1995 because of money, at that time the transfers were not as big as today.

He went to Real because Real is the biggest football club, he left because he wanted to play with the best. Yes, to play, because Dejan Petković only knew how to play football that way. Ever since 1992, when he shone in the Red Star as a 20-year-old, he has been seen to bounce back. He was the true and legitimate heir of that space generation and those masters like Savićević, Stojković and Prosinečki.

He was the closest to Savićević in terms of the game, although he built his own style. He was on the football field very fast with a devastating kick and simple yet elusive dribbles.

But let’s get back to his career. After 132 games and 38 goals in the Red Star jersey, Real's offer arrived, which, although a cliché, is not really rejected. However, Rambo did not get along in the ‘royal club’. He played only eight games and scored one goal, followed by loans in Sevilla and Santander, but Rambo did not show his talent there either.

And here we come to the key decision in Petković's career. In 1997, he was still under contract with Real, and the offer was sent to him by Brazilian Vitoria. Rambo was at a turning point thinking why a European footballer from Real Madrid would go to Brazil when all the best Brazilian players want to come to Europe.

However, the president of Vitoria managed to convince the Serbian football player that he will play for one of the biggest Brazilian clubs and that if he plays well, he will easily be able to return to Europe.

And so Rambo got on a plane and went to Brazil, where he was surprised to learn that Vitoria is not the champion of the country, not even a contender for the title, but only the champion of the country in which he is.

The ‘damage’ has already been done, the contract has already been signed and Rambo has remained in the red-and-black jersey for two seasons. It was a great two seasons for him, the club won two titles in its country, and Petković imposed himself with great games on clubs from Europe.

Two years after leaving for Brazil, in 1999 he returned to Europe, to Venice, which at that time was a stable first division team in Italy. Although he started well in the then extremely strong Serie A, he quickly dropped out of the team and after only 13 games played in Venice, he decided to return to Brazil.

He wore a red and black jersey again in Brazil, but this time it was Flamengo, the true great of Brazilian football. And that is where Rambo really became a legend of Brazilian football.

Flemengo was already the champion when Petković arrived, and in the next two years he repeated the historic success. Felipe Melo, then an unknown kid who supports Flamengo, said that "Petković's incredible goal from a free kick in the 89th minute of the final duel in 2001, which brought the team the title, will never be forgotten."

A month later, Rambo repeated the masterpiece from a free kick and brought Flamengo the Champions Cup and return to the Copa Libertadores against Sao Paulo. After that, Rambo's form fell, so did Flamengo. At the end of the unsuccessful season, Petković left Flamengo and moved to Vasco da Gama.

He stayed there from 2002 to 2004. He briefly interrupted the Brazilian odyssey in order to go to China because Shanghai offered him an unrealistic five million euros for a year. After the season in China, he returned to Vasco and continued where he left off.

Although the club had a pretty bad season in which it barely avoided relegation, Petković was brilliant. He scored 18 goals, had 11 assists and was included in the team this season. The following season, he left South America again and went to the Middle East to pay for his masterpieces in Al Ittihad.

He quickly returned, however, signing for Fluminense this time. He delighted with his masterful goals again, and he also scored the 1000th goal for Fluminense and the history of the club.

He found himself in the team of the season again, but he was still defeated in the semifinals of the Brazilian Cup and it was time to continue his Brazilian journey. 2007 was a year to forget Petković. He moved to Goias, and then to Santos, which was coached by Vanderlei Luxemburg. He did not get along in Goiás or Santos, so in 2008 he signed for Atletico Mineiro and there he was presented as the greatest football player who ever played for that club.

However, due to numerous injuries, he soon lost his place in the starting lineup, although he was one of the few who played well when he was ready. And so, we return again to the beginning and Petković's love for this game.

With 36 years and enough money earned, he could easily end a career that many would envy. But it's not. He stayed in Brazil and waited for Flamengo's offer on May 20, 2009. Many were skeptical, many believed that Petković signed for Flamengo in order for the club to reduce his debt. Some board members have resigned, even the team coach has been replaced.

The fans were worried because Rambo did not play competitive football for six months. Petković quickly denied them. The Serbian football player showed that he can still play at the highest level, some said that he plays better than before.

Inspired by Petković's fantastic games, Flamengo won the first title after 17 years. Rambo was re-elected to the team this season and was again given the opportunity to play in the Copa Libertadores.

Dejan Petković became one of only three foreigners who left their footprint on the legendary Brazilian Maracana. Imagine the whole of Maracana in Rio chanting your name as you leave the field. Such things have no price.

Thank you for reading my article ... I hope that you enjoyed ...

I send you a big greetings!

@GreenOasis