Handwritten letter from a national team player arriving in Mexico (1970)

A few weeks before the start of the 1970 World Cup, a Brazilian player talks about the arrival of the national team in Mexico.

Handwritten postal letter from a Brazilian player in the 1970s (probably Paulo César Lima, known as Caju) to a certain Tânia, perhaps a relative or friend. In Portuguese. 13.9 cm x 8.9 cm. April 2, 1970, Mexico. Excellent condition. Single piece.

Dear Tania
With the Grace of God
we had a good trip, and
we are in a hotel
first class must
all. our arrival
here was a tremendous
party, everyone is cheering
give to us
Tomorrow we will start
training to play
day six against Guada
slab

In 1970, Brazil lived under a military dictatorship and witnessed its national team go down in history, becoming three times world champion through a cheerful and spectacular football. It was also the first World Cup shown live on Brazilian television. Two months before its start, the “canarinho” team was the first team to arrive in Mexico to acclimatize to the altitude of over 2,000 meters and was in group 3, the strongest of all, alongside the then world champion , England. His debut took place on June 3, in Guadalajara, against Czechoslovakia and, after an admirable campaign, he defeated the Italians in the final.

The players on the team were Félix, Ado, Leão, Carlos Alberto, Zé Maria, Brito, Baldochi, Fontana, Wilson Piazza, Everaldo, Marco Antônio, Clodoaldo, Joel, Rivelino, Gerson, Jairzinho, Paulo César, Pelé, Dario, Tostão, Robert and Ed. The 1970 World Cup was the last in which Pelé participated (the only player to win the tournament three times) and that team is still considered one of the best teams of all time: unanimity both in the press and by fans around the world. After the final, the coach of the Czechoslovak team, heavily criticized for the defeat to Brazil in the opening match, said: “Now the world understands why we lost four to one. No one beats this team from Brazil.”

This is an unpublished piece written by the player Paulo Cézar (whose signature was confirmed by paleographic analysis). It is valuable for reporting the arrival of the one who would be the great champion of the 1970 cup and, moreover, reveals traces of a time when the players had a humble attitude (“we are in a first-class hotel, it has everything”) and liveliness. when feeling the support of the fans (“Our arrival here was a tremendous party, they are all rooting for us”).