Ayrton Senna and Selection exchanged promises before Tetra in 1994, reveals former player

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The connection between Ayrton Senna and the world title of the Brazilian National Team in 1994 has been known for over 30 years. This time, the attunement between two great symbols of national sport has gained new chapters thanks to Ricardo Rocha. The former player revealed a promise between the team and the motorist.

Tetra’s defender was an attraction of a tourism agency event to publicize packages to Brazilians interested in following the 2026 World Cup to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. On site, the former athlete recalled some stories of the team in US lands in the 1990s-especially the meeting with the pilot.

At that point, the selection and the Formula 1 athlete were three -time champions of the world. However, they lived distinct moments: while the pilot was at the height, the soccer team lived a moment of distrust after almost left out of the competition. Until, in April of that year, both met in Paris, France.

“That day, we promised that we would win Tetra and he committed to becoming champion for the fourth time in Formula 1,” recalled Ricardo Rocha. “Unfortunately, ten days after our meeting, Senna passed away, but we fulfilled the promise we had made to him.”

The pilot died on May 1 at the San Marino GP in Imola, Italy, at 34. The 1994 World Cup began on June 17, and ended with the Brazilian team raising its fourth title. After the final, Brazilian players honored the motorist: “Senna, we accelerated together: Tetra is ours,” said the track loaded by the team.

Senna’s meeting with the national team in Paris

On April 20, 1994, Brazil faced a combined PSG-Bordeaux, with reinforcement of Roberto de Assis Moreira, Assisi, brother of Ronaldinho Gaúcho. The stage was the Princes Park in Paris, France. Despite the 0-0, the match gained a historical character: the last applause to Ayrton Senna, still in life.

Reproduction/FIFA World Cup

The Brazilian pilot was invited to kick the match. At first he did not want to fear the reaction of the French stands, countrymen of Alan Prost, his great rival in his career. Galvão Bueno’s insistence weighed, and he accepted. The audience reaction also surprised: Senna was applauded by the fans.

Before the game, he spoke to the coaching staff and the players. “You accelerate from there, and I accelerate from here,” said the Brazilian pilot, with the phrase that became a symbol of the Brazilian conquest months later. Senna died less than two weeks after the match.