Carlos Alberto Torres

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Lore & Background

Carlos Alberto's leadership style spared no one from his criticism — not even Pelé, four years older. He was not only captain when it came to coin tosses. According to the portal UOL, he was "loud-mouthed, impulsive and energetic" and did not enter into discussions half-heartedly. In the 1970 World Cup match where Brazil beat England 1–0, Carlos Alberto abandoned his position to make a stronger tackle on English striker Francis Lee, who had kicked Félix in the face. After the play, Lee disappeared from the game. Carlos Alberto was one of those who asked Zagallo to put Everaldo in place of Marco Antônio, then 19 and too inexperienced in the group's opinion.

In Their Own Story

The 1970 World Cup Final in Mexico City saw Brazil face Italy. Carlos Alberto's goal in that final came after he raced down the right wing and dealt a strong low shot to Enrico Albertosi's left corner after receiving an assist from Pelé. It is considered one of the best goals ever scored in the tournament. In 2002, the UK public voted the goal No. 36 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments. Carlos Alberto is remembered holding aloft the Jules Rimet trophy after Brazil secured the cup for good. That squad also included Clodoaldo, Gérson, Jairzinho, Rivellino, Tostão and Pelé. 1970 would prove to be the only World Cup he played at that level; he was unable to participate in 1974 due to a persistent knee injury.

Reader's Guide

Carlos Alberto was capped 53 times for Brazil from 1964 to 1977, scoring 8 goals. He was included in the 44-man training squad for the 1966 FIFA World Cup but did not make the final 22. When João Saldanha was tasked with restoring pride to the seleção, he recognized the leadership ability Carlos Alberto was demonstrating at Santos and made him national captain. In 1977, he was selected by Claudio Coutinho to captain the national team for the first three qualifiers for the 1978 World Cup. He acquitted himself well despite those being the first competitive internationals he had played for almost seven years. He retired from international football immediately prior to joining New York Cosmos in the NASL.

Did You Know?

• Carlos Alberto had a twin brother, Carlos Roberto, who died one month before him in 2016.
• He was married three times: to Sueli (mother of his children Andréa and Alexandre Torres, also a player), actress Teresinha Sodré, and Graça.
• He arrived at the New York Cosmos on the day of the New York City blackout, reuniting with his friend and partner Pelé.
• In 2004, he was appointed manager of the Azerbaijan national team, but resigned on 4 June 2005 after losing a match against Poland, during which he assaulted the technical referee and ran on the pitch suggesting the referee was bribed.
• He died in Rio de Janeiro on 25 October 2016 due to a sudden heart attack, exactly one month after his twin brother died.