Brazil great Zico has received the support of the country's football federation (CBF) in his bid to become president of world football governing body FIFA.
Zico, 62, who has not always seen eye-to-eye with Brazil's top football officials, still needs the backing of four other countries to formalise his application.
The CBF issued a statement on its official website on Thursday accompanied by a photograph of Zico shaking the hand of federation president Marco Polo Del Nero, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Zico has our support for the candidacy," Del Nero said. "If he gets the other four signatures, the CBF will endorse his bid."
Zico said he would run for the position in June, just days after Sepp Blatter announced his decision to resign.
An election to decide Blatter's successor is due to be held on February 26.
"I am happy with the response," Zico said. "It's important because I can only take my first step (for the candidacy) after receiving the positive signal from the CBF."
Zico, who was capped 89 times for Brazil and scored 66 goals, is currently the manager of Indian Super League outfit FC Goa.
