Brazilian Football Legend Carlos Alberto Dies Aged 72 in Rio

10/26/2016 - 10h59

Carlos Alberto Torres, the best right back in Brazil's football history, died following a heart attack this Tuesday (25).

A natural born leader, embodying physical force, dexterity and tactical know-how on the pitch, Carlos Alberto (1944-2016) has secured his place in Brazil's hall of football fame.

Captain of the World Cup winning team of 1970, he was also the only Brazilian captain to ever score a goal in a World Cup final. When the Jules Rimet trophy was placed in his hands, he raised it to his lips: a gesture now immortalised in football history.

His winning goal and his winning manner have become iconic symbols in Brazil's rich football culture, a fond reminder for every Brazilian citizen of what it means to be crowned a champion.

Carlos Alberto played for great clubs like Santos, Fluminense, Flamengo and Botafogo and also for teams in the USA.

He retired in 1982 and embarked on a political career, serving as council member for Rio for the Democratic Labour Party between 1989 and 1993.

In 2012 he announced his desire to become President of the Brazilian Football Confederation, a mantel he would never take up.

In the run-up to the 2014 World Cup, Carlos Alberto, an ambassador for the event, posed with the FIFA trophy as it toured the country. Every time, he repeated that same legendary action: planting a kiss on the golden cup.

Translated by GILLIAN SOPHIE HARRIS

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	Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
	In this April 2014 file picture, former soccer player Carlos Alberto Torres holds the trophy during the FIFA World Cup "Trophy Tour" at Maracana stadium