In retirement, Roberto Rivellino has swapped the roar of packed stadiums for the birdsong of his countryside retreat in rural Sao Paulo. Yet memories of football’s grandest stages continue to echo in the mind of the Brazilian icon, especially those that transport him back to the 1970 FIFA World Cup™ final in Mexico.
According to Rivellino, Brazil’s journey to becoming world champions for a third time was shaped by the perfect atmosphere. He just has to close his eyes and he can still hear the cheers of the 100,000 fans who packed the Estadio Azteca for the final against Italy. But the bond between the team and the Mexican people had begun long before the final in Mexico City.
“We had a wonderful experience in Mexico in 1970 because we stayed in Guadalajara right up until we left to play the final. We kept winning and winning, so we stayed in the same city throughout the tournament. That made it very special. Then we went to play the final at a completely full Azteca – such an enormous stadium,” Rivellino recalled in an interview with FIFA.
The affection shown by the Mexican public towards the Brazilian delegation became an extra source of motivation for the players, particularly after the host nation’s elimination in the quarter-finals. Brazil repaid that support with a series of dazzling performances.
The Seleção won all six of their matches, inspired by the brilliance of the likes of Pele, Tostao, Gerson, Jairzinho and Rivellino himself.
“When Mexico went out of the World Cup, the Mexican people embraced the Brazil team. It was because of the way we played, the magic in our football and all those things. [The fans] really took us to their hearts. They genuinely supported us. That’s why it became such a spectacle,” he explained.
The dominance of that Brazil side was no accident. It represented the peak of a team that seemed to improve every time they stepped onto the pitch. The understanding and confidence within the squad grew so strong that, in Rivellino’s view, no opponents could have stopped them.
“With every match, Brazil played better football,” he said. “Even if there had been two or three more matches, I don’t think anyone would’ve beaten that team. We improved with every game. And, on top of that, we had King Pele on our side. Who wouldn’t want to watch that?”
The owner of the most powerful left foot in the squad – nicknamed – recalled the final itself with remarkable calm. In fact, he believes the showdown with the highly regarded Italians was the easiest match of Brazil’s entire campaign.
Although the first half ended 1-1, with strikes from Pele and Roberto Boninsegna, the second half became a Brazilian masterclass. Goals from Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto turned the scoreline into a resounding 4-1 win and secured the trophy.
“Believe it or not, the calmest and ‘easiest’ match was the final against Italy. You hear that and think, ‘How can that be?’ I felt we could have scored five. There was even one moment when I was about to score and a defender brought me down, but it was already 4-1 and the referee didn’t give the penalty,” he said.
When the final whistle was eventually blown, the celebrations that followed transformed the Azteca pitch into a scene of euphoria and pure chaos. Local supporters broke through the security barriers to celebrate alongside the Brazilian players.
“If you remember the final, the match ended and the Mexican fans invaded the pitch. They put a Mexican sombrero on Pele’s head. It was madness – absolute madness! Things aren’t like that today. But back then people would invade the pitch. Tostao was almost stripped down to his underwear. It was unbelievable,” he recalled with a smile.
More than five decades later, another World Cup in North America has rekindled Rivellino’s deep connection with Mexico. He will be attending the opening match of the tournament – between Mexico and South Africa – on 11 June at Mexico City Stadium.
Although Rivellino has returned to Mexico on several occasions to receive honours and tributes, he has not revisited the stage where Brazil became world champions for the third time. In 2018, alongside fellow World Cup winner Cafu, he was inducted into the Pachuca Football Hall of Fame.
The former midfielder, who was awarded one of the symbolic keys to Mexico City – an honour bestowed upon the heroes of 1970 – is counting down the days until he can once again step onto the pitch that immortalised his generation.
“It’s going to be a wonderful moment. After almost 56 years, I can’t wait to set foot there again. I really can’t wait,” he said.
Sources: FIFA Official
