Brazil rekindles 50 years of greatness

If I’m not careful, I always start crying

PARIS, France (AFP) — Fifty years ago this month, modern football was born in the World Cup in Mexico, kicking and yelling, and live in vibrant color for a global audience.

This weekend marks the anniversary of the quarterfinals of that tournament as a star-studded cast played a thrilling series of knock-out games which built to a dazzling final, when the first World Cup broadcast in color ended with an unparalleled display by a technicolor team. Mexico in 1970 was not the first World Cup broadcast live.

Four years earlier 400 million watched England beat West Germany in the final. But that tournament was shown in black and white. Battered Brazil, the reigning champions, limped out playing, as far as viewers could tell, in two shades of grey.

In Mexico, their yellow and green glowed in the sunshine.

Most viewers still watched in black and white. But the games were shot in color and when the many iconic moments are replayed, that is how they are seen. And that is how the competition is remembered — even by its greatest star.

“I watch it because there are a lot of videos available and TV programs,” Pele told FIFA’s website.

“If I’m not careful, I always start crying.”

The tournament gave Pele his third winner’s medal but the images also cemented his reputation as the world’s greatest player, partly because of three spectacular near misses: a shot from his own half against Czechoslovakia, a header saved by England’s Gordon Banks and the dummy that almost turned a Tostao pass into a goal against Uruguay. “I was at my peak,” Pele said.

“We had a fantastic side and everyone expected us to win, which gave me the shakes.”

The quarterfinals all kicked off at noon on 14 June.

Gigi Riva scored twice and Gianni Rivera once as Italy beat hosts Mexico, 4-1.

Rivellino, Tostao and Jairzinho, but not Pele, scored as Brazil beat Peru, 4-2.