In the conversation, recorded in 1979, the three-time world champion talks about racism and the challenges of his career
Born in Rio de Janeiro on July 16, 1949, Paulo Cézar Lima earned the nickname “caju” after dying his hair. Considered “bad boy”he played for big clubs: Botafogo, Flamengo, Vasco, Grêmio, Corinthians and, in France, he wore the Olympique de Marseille shirt. In the 1970 World Cup, in Mexico, he was the team’s most used substitute. He played a wonderful match against England, when Brazil was without Gérson.
In preparation for the World Cup, he was booed by the São Paulo fans who didn’t want him on Zagallo’s team. The coach, however, was right to select him to rebuild the team in the event of Gérson and Rivellino’s absences. To the press, Paulo Cézar said: “Thank God I managed to prove that I am not useless in the national teamThe player also played in the 1974 World Cup in Germany, when the national team finished in fourth place.
Going through the Jovem Pan archives, I found a practically unpublished interview with Paulo Cézar Caju, recorded in 1979, in Rio de Janeiro, by reporters Wanderley Nogueira and Israel Gimpel. Openly, the player spoke about numerous topics, in addition to football, such as racism. At the beginning of the conversation, Wanderley highlights to listeners: “With a lot of courage, openness and personality, he will now answer everything we are interested in knowing. (…) An attacked, criticized, controversial and extroverted man.”
The recording lasts more than an hour and is a journey through time of a Brazil that was still dictatorial, but was beginning to rehearse a discreet democratic opening.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
