O Rei

The 1970 World Cup Final between Brazil and Italy at the Azteca Stadium was one of the most anticipated matches in sports history. The buildup was defined by a battle for the permanent ownership of the World Cup trophy and a clash between two diametrically opposed philosophies of football.

It took Brazil just 18 minutes to break the Italians down. Rivellino looped a cross to the far post where Pele rose highest to bullet a header past Enrico Albertosi to net Brazil’s 100th goal at World Cup tournaments.

The celebration became a symbol of that World Cup... Jairzinho carrying o Rei so the world could see that tight right fist waving for eternity. This goal, and the win, proclaimed Pele as the best player of all time... until then.