What became of Pele’s fellow 1970 World Cup heroes?

Issued on: 29/12/2022 – 20:46

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Pele’s crowning glory was winning the 1970 World Cup as he approached his 30s, four years after he had vowed never to play in the tournament again after being kicked out of 1966.

He won it as the star of what is often considered the best football side the world has ever seen, but while Pele’s superstardom continued until his death, others faded from view despite their huge impact on the game. So what became of his incredibly talented teammates?

Felix

Traditionally not the Brazil team’s strongest position, goalkeeper Felix was considered a weak link ahead of the 1970 tournament but was respected by his teammates. He later became a car and fridge salesman.

After his death in 2012 from emphysema — brought on my his heavy smoking habit — Jairzinho praised the way Felix, a senior member of the Brazil squad alongside Pele, supported younger players and even coach Mario Zagallo throughout the Mexico tournament.

Carlos Alberto

One of the team’s most famous players, captain Carlos Alberto scored one of its most famous goals, crashing home Pele’s lay off at the end of a flowing passing move to complete the 4-1 rout of Italy in the final in Mexico City.

One of the best defenders of all time, Carlos Alberto played for years alongside Pele at Santos before rejoining him at New York Cosmos in 1977.

After working as a coach in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria and Azerbaijan, he retired in 2005 and became a television pundit. He died aged 72 in his native Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Brito

The centre-back, who earned 45 Brazil caps between 1964 and 1972, was known for having a short temper which he kept in check for the World Cup. He played for about 10 different clubs — including Vasco da Gama, Flamengo and Corinthians — before retiring in 1979 at the age of 40. Now aged 83, he stays out of the public eye.

Wilson Piazza

Piazza played for Cruzeiro between 1964 and 1979 and 47 times for Brazil with the 1970 World Cup his highlight though he was also at the 1974 finals. Now 79, Piazzo later built up a chain of petrol stations and tried to get into local politics.

Everaldo

Although he made his international debut in 1967, it was coach Mario Zagallo who gave Everaldo his big chance at the 1970 finals. He won 24 caps and was only on the losing side once. He tried to enter politics upon retiring but was killed in a car crash with his wife and a daughter in October 1974.

Jairzinho

One of two World Cup winners to score in every match of a finals, Jairzinho was Brazil’s top scorer in 1970 with seven goals in six games. He scored 33 times in 81 matches for Brazil and played more than 400 games for Botafogo before moving to Marseille.

After football, he tried to become mayor of Rio but his candidacy was cancelled because he did not pay the fees. He also trained young footballers and is credited with discovering Brazil’s Ronaldo in the 1990s. He is now aged 77.

Clodoaldo

At fault for Roberto Boninsegna’s goal in the final, Clodoaldo is more famous for the hypnotic sashaying that sent four Italian players packing during the flowing move that led to Carlos Alberto’s iconic strike.

Now 73, he played the vast majority of his career with Pele and Carlos Alberto at Santos, and after retiring dabbled in property management and even managed the East Timor national team in 2010.

Gerson

Already a veteran by the time the 1970 tournament rolled around, Gerson was Brazil’s playmaker and scorer of the crucial goal that put the Selecao back in front in the final, a trademark left-foot thunderbolt from distance.

His passing and shooting ability was such that he was nicknamed “Golden Left Foot”, and he went on to play 70 times for his country, scoring 14 goals.

Now aged 81.

Rivelino

One of the stars of the Brazil team, moustachioed midfielder Rivellino was only 24 when Brazil claimed the Jules Rimet trophy, five years into an international career that would see him play for his country 92 times over 13 years.

Considered one of the most elegant players in the game’s history, he popularised the “flip-flap” shimmy and was one of Diego Maradona’s biggest inspirations.

Now 76, Rivelino works as a TV pundit.

Tostao

The other of half of a strike partnership with Pele, Tostao, now 75, scored both of his 1970 goals in the 4-2 quarter-final win over Peru.

Forced to quit football aged just 26 due to eye problems picked up in a training accident, he subsequently qualified as a doctor before then becoming one of Brazil’s most prominent pundits.

© 2022 AFP