CARLOS ALBERTO
Former Brazil captain Carlos Alberto has died at the age of
72.
Alberto passed away on Tuesday after
suffering a heart attack, according to reports in the Brazilian media.
A statement on the official Santos
website read: 'Santos FC regrets the death of the idol Carlos Alberto Torres,
who was 72 years old.
'He played 445 matches and scored 40
goals in the 1965 period to 1975, and is considered the best right-back in the
history of Praiano Alvinegro. The club had decreed official mourning three
days.'
Alberto captained his country to
victory at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
His goal in the 4-1 victory over
Italy in the final is regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the
tournament.
The build-up to Alberto's famous goal
started just five yards from the left of the Brazil box.
A total of eight Brazil players
touched the ball, with Pele providing the pass for Alberto to charge forward
and strike the ball into the back of the net.
Alberto told the BBC: 'We only
realised how beautiful the goal was after the game.
'The emotion, of course, when I
scored that goal was incredible, but after the game, and still today, I realise
how beautiful and how important that goal was because everybody is still
talking about it.
'Nobody talks
about Pele's goal, the first goal, the second goal. It is always about the
fourth goal. I think it was the best goal ever scored in a World Cup.'
Full-back Alberto won a total of 53
caps for Brazil and also helped both Santos and Fluminense secure domestic
titles as well as enjoying a spell with New York Cosmos in the North American
Soccer League later in his career alongside Pele.
Alberto worked as a commentator for
Sportv in Brazil and made his last appearance on television on Sunday.
Pele has described the late Alberto
as a 'friend and brother' following his former team-mate's death.
He said in a statement: 'I am
saddened by the death of my friend and brother Carlos Alberto, our dear
"Capita".
'I remember the times we were
together in Santos, the Brazilian national team and the Cosmos, forming a
winning partnership.
'We were champions for Santos, the
Selecao and the Cosmos. Unfortunately we have to understand this and that life
goes on. To his family I send my condolences.'
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