A few weeks before the start of the 1970 World Cup, a Brazilian player tells us about the team's arrival in Mexico.
Handwritten letter from a player on the 1970 Brazilian national team (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 of conservation.
Unique piece.
Dear Tania, With the grace of God we had a good trip, and we are in a hotel first class has to everything. Our arrival here was a tremendous party, everyone is cheering from to us Tomorrow we will start training to play day six against Guada slate
In 1970, Brazil was under a military dictatorship and witnessed its national team make history, becoming three-time world champions through their joyful and spectacular football. It was also the first World Cup to be broadcast live on Brazilian television. Two months before the start of the World Cup, the “canarinho” team was the first to arrive in Mexico to acclimatize to the altitude of over 2,000 meters and was placed in Group 3, the strongest of all, alongside the then world champion, England. Their debut took place on June 3, in Guadalajara, against Czechoslovakia and, after an admirable campaign, they defeated the Italians in the final.
The team's players 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, Roberto and Edu. The 1970 World Cup was the last one in which Pelé participated (he was the only player to win the tournament three times) and this team is still considered one of the best teams of all time: unanimous 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 Brazilian team.”
This is an unpublished piece written by player Paulo Cézar (whose signature was verified by paleographic analysis). It is valuable because it recounts the arrival of the team that would become the great champion of the 1970 World Cup and also reveals traces of a time when players displayed an attitude of humility (“we are in a first-class hotel with everything”) and liveliness when feeling the support of their fans (“Our arrival here was a tremendous celebration, everyone is rooting for us”).
