In 1986, while preparing for the FIFA World Cup Finals in Mexico, Renato was dropped from the squad by coach Telê Santana for disciplinary reasons, when he and his friend who also played at Brazil national team Leandro got in the hotel after the scheduled time. Renato was remembered for being a loyal friend when it happened because he could jump through the hotel wall and get in unnoticed. But when his friend couldn't, he walked through the main door with him. Leandro was an important and irreplaceable player, so he still got called for the finals and Renato didn't. But to return the loyalty to Renato, Leandro said he wouldn't play if Renato wasn't reaccepted. Renato wasn't recalled and then Leandro made his word true and quit the selection. Leandro's replacement at right-back was Edson, who was injured in the second World Cup match and was then replaced by the relatively unknown Josimar of Botafogo, who became one of the stars of the tournament.