Former Brazilian full-back Ze Carlos, who was a runner-up at the 1998 World Cup, has died at the age of 56, his former club Sao Paulo confirmed on Friday.
The club did not give a cause of death, but local media reports say it was a cardiac arrest.
“It is with great sorrow that Sao Paulo FC announce the death of Jose Carlos de Almeida, Ze Carlos, this Friday in Osasco, near Sao Paulo,” said the club, where he played from 1997 to 1999.
Ze Carlos was not capped when he joined the 1998 World Cup squad as a replacement for Flavio Conceicao. He was on the bench during the group stage and knockout rounds, only playing in the semi-final against the Netherlands when Cafu was suspended. Brazil won that match on penalties.
He returned to the bench for the final, where Brazil lost 3-0 to France. Ze Carlos was not selected for Brazil again and retired from football in 2005.
