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Pele at the 1970 World Cup: A Legacy Beyond Goals

This briefing document reviews the main themes and key points from the article "Pelé at the 1970 World Cup: the memories beyond the goals"

Main Theme: While Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and a prolific goal scorer, his legacy from the 1970 World Cup extends beyond the goals he scored. The article argues that Pelé's audacious play, sportsmanship, and involvement in iconic moments, including remarkable misses and assists, solidified his place in football history.

Key Points:

• Misses that Made History: Unlike many other legendary strikers, Pelé is remembered for several remarkable misses in 1970:
• The Audacious Lob: In the opening match against Czechoslovakia, Pelé attempted a stunning lob from the halfway line that narrowly missed, showcasing his unparalleled audacity and vision. "In that split second after receiving the ball, Pelé has noticed Viktor has strayed forward from his goal line and decided to attempt to lob him."
• The Banks Save: Pelé's powerful header against England was met by Gordon Banks’ legendary save, widely considered one of the greatest of all time.
• The Dummy and Near Miss: Against Uruguay in the semi-final, Pelé dummied the onrushing goalkeeper, retrieved the ball, and narrowly missed scoring, demonstrating his unique skill and flair. "It is a move that takes the breath away in a similar fashion to the Cruyff turn in 1974 and is perhaps the greatest goal that never was."
• Sportsmanship and Respect: The iconic image of Pelé and Bobby Moore embracing after the Brazil-England match exemplifies the mutual respect between two footballing giants. "It is an image of two legendary players who know that they have just been involved in a titanic struggle. It is an image of pure mutual respect."
• The Ultimate Assist: In the final against Italy, Pelé provided a no-look pass to Carlos Alberto for Brazil’s final goal, showcasing his exceptional awareness and passing ability. "And without having to break stride at all, he drills the ball in at full speed. Brazil are world champions once again."

Conclusion:

The article concludes that while Pelé's goals were instrumental in Brazil’s World Cup triumph, it was his audacity, sportsmanship, and ability to create iconic moments that cemented his legacy in 1970. "Pelé was an outstanding goal scorer but also, unlike many other greats in front of goal, so much more. It really wasn’t just about what he did that made him great; it is also the time and place that he did it." Pelé's influence transcended mere statistics; his impact on the game was a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.