The Greatest Brazilian National Team of All Time – Brazil is known as a football country that has produced many great players. However, the great memories of winning the 1970 World Cup will never fade. The Brazilian national team in 1970 was the best and recorded an extraordinary victory — defeating Italy 4-1 in the final.
The Greatest Brazilian National Team of All Time
oragoo – Unfortunately, several big names from Brazil’s golden squad have passed away one by one over time. One of them is Carlos Alberto who died on Tuesday (25/10) due to heart disease.
The following is a list of the Brazilian national team at the 1970 World Cup and their career journeys after retiring from football:
1. Felix
This goalkeeper became a hero when Brazil won 4-1 over Italy in the final. He has defended Brazil more than 40 times and won five national titles with the Fluminense club.
After retiring from football, he turned to being a car and refrigerator dealer. His smoking habit affected his health, and he died of emphysema in 2012 at the age of 74.
2. Carlos Alberto
Alberto’s name shone even brighter after scoring his fourth extraordinary goal in the final. That moment will be part of history for Alberto, who died of a heart attack at the age of 72 on Tuesday (25/10).
Alberto, who played as a right and left back for Santos in 1974, had returned to his first club, Fluminense, before joining Flamengo. He then decided to go outside Brazil to join the New York Cosmos with Pele.
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After coaching in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan, he retired in 2005 and became an analyst on a television station. His departure left behind memories as the ‘eternal captain’.
3. Hercules Brito
This tall central defender was known for his high temper, which he controlled when appearing in the World Cup. He played for Brazil 45 times between 1964 and 1972.
During his career, he played for around 10 different clubs, including Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, and Corinthians, as well as clubs in Canada and Venezuela, before finally retiring at the age of 40 in 1979.
Since then, his name has faded and been separated from the spotlight of the world football public.
4. Wilson Piazza
Piazza spent his career at Cruzeiro from 1964 to 1979. He appeared for Brazil 47 times, including at the 1970 World Cup.
However, he actually also appeared in the final in 1974, but in a different squad composition and a career that was not as bright as when he played in 1970.
After retiring, Brito started a business in the petrol station business and tried his luck in local politics.
5. Everaldo
Everaldo is a strong and talented left-back. Despite being an international for Brazil since 1967, coach Mario Zagallo gave Everaldo a big chance in the 1970 World Cup final.
Everaldo had 24 caps until 1974 and suffered only one defeat. He tried a career in politics after retiring, but sadly, he died in a car accident with his wife and a daughter in October 1974.
6. Clodoaldo
Clodoaldo became a symbol of Brazil’s revival when he was behind to Uruguay in the semi-finals, but managed to turn things around with a 3-1 win. He was also involved in building the attack for Carlos Alberto’s goal in the final, playing at Santos with Pele.
After hanging up his boots, Clodoaldo entered the property business and continued to act as a director of Santos and an advisor to the Brazilian national team.
7. Gerson
Although Carlos Alberto served as captain, Gerson played as the brain in the midfield of the 1970 Italian national team who was known as “The Parrot” because he never stopped talking on the pitch.
Gerson played 70 times for Brazil, including appearances at the 1966 and 1970 World Cups. After retiring, he began his work at a charity to help underprivileged children, and later became a football commentator on radio and television.
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8. Rivelino
The left winger was known for his moustache. He was also a master of dribbling – nicknamed ‘Elastico’ – during his two-decade career in football.
During his career, he played 92 internationals and made almost 700 appearances for Corinthians, Fluminense and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He scored three goals in the 1970 World Cup final, including a stunning free-kick against Czechoslovakia.
Rivelino also appeared in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals, and continues to commentate alongside fellow legend Zico.
9. Pele
For many, Pele is the greatest footballer, famous for his curling shot. He contributed one of the four goals in the 1970 final and produced one of the most legendary strikes. He has been named the best player with three World Cup trophies.
After finishing his career with the New York Cosmos, Pele had a career as Minister of Sports and a UN ambassador behind the large company he owned.
Now, at the age of 72, his condition is quite worrying. In the last few months, he has often been sick and has been treated in hospital. He also now has to walk with the help of a cane.
10. Tostao
Tostao was a Brazilian striker who was very feared in his time. Unfortunately, he suffered an eye injury that resulted in retinal damage when his face hit the ball in 1970, so he could not meet public expectations.
He had a very good relationship with Pele before retiring in 1973 at the age of 26 due to eye problems. Currently, Tostao works as a doctor and a respected sports journalist.
11. Jairzinho
Jairzinho was Brazil’s top scorer in the 1970 World Cup with seven goals in six matches. He is also the only player to have scored in every match throughout the World Cup finals.
He scored a total of 33 goals in 81 international appearances and played over 400 games for Botafogo before moving to Marseille in France. After retiring, he tried to run for mayor of Rio de Janeiro, but his candidacy was cancelled for failing to pay the required fees.