October 27 – The football world is paying tribute to Carlos Alberto Torres, captain of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team – regarded as possibly the greatest national side of all time – and scorer of one of the sport’s most memorable goals who has died aged 72 at his home in Rio de Janeiro.
One of the finest defenders of his or any generation, Carlos Alberto, who earned 53 caps, will always be remembered for his goal that sealed a 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final when he finished off a fabulous move involving eight Brazilian players by blasting the ball home.
Pele, one of Carlos Alberto’s closest friends, said they had a “winning partnership” as teammates and remained close even after they retired. “I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend and brother,” the three-time World Cup winner said in a statement.
“He was more than a leader, he was an innovative player. That is why he is our eternal captain,” said Carlos Alberto Parreira, a physical therapist for the 1970 team who later led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup.
German legend Franz Beckenbauer, writing on social media, said the marauding rightback “was like a brother” to him. Beckenbauer played alongside the Brazilian in the United States at the New York Cosmos.
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