The Brazilian football federation has backed former Selecao and Flamengo legend Zico's bid to run for the soon-to-be-vacant FIFA presidency.
The 62-year-old expressed his desire to run just days after current president Sepp Blatter announced his plans to abdicate the organization's top post back in June, and asked for the Brazil FA's support earlier this week.
Now with the support of Brazil FA chief Marco Polo Del Nero in hand, the the star of the 1982 and '86 Brazilian World Cup teams must get four additional federations to follow suit before he can officially become a candidate.
"The president supported me. He said if I get four more federations, CBF will be with me even if CONMEBOL votes in bloc in the elections. If I'm a candidate, Del Nero said CBF will ask permission to vote for me, to be the Brazilian candidate," Zico said Thursday.
"Now I will fight for the four other federations. I'm very calm, as I have CBF's support."
Blatter will be replaced at an election on Feb. 26 and any candidates must confirm their intention to stand by Oct. 26.
Current UEFA president Michel Platini announced his candidacy on Wednesday, and South Korean billionaire Chung Mong-Joon confirmed his plans to run for the post earlier Thursday.
In an interview with the CBF's website, Del Nero confirmed his intention to support the Rio de Janeiro native, and said he consulted with CONMEBOL president Juan Angel Napout before meeting with Zico.
"Zico has our support to apply for candidacy. If he gets four other signatures, CBF will endorse his ticket," he said. "I told Napout that we have an illustrious Brazilian with intentions to run for FIFA president. With regular conditions to enter the election, Zico will have the CBF's endorsement."
The celebrated No. 10 and the Maracana's all-time leading scorer will officially announce his campaign intentions during a media conference on Aug. 31.