After the referee’s final whistle at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Félix cried nonstop and refused to hand over his shirt to the fans. Hours later, the goalkeeper became even more emotional when speaking to one of his daughters on the phone. The player, now three-time world champion, was a national hero. Nicknamed “paper”, he overcame criticism and showed that he was capable of being a starter in the World Cup. On that unforgettable June 21, 1970, Brazil beat Italy 4-1, goals from Pelé, Gérson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto Torres.
Félix Mielli Venerando (1937-2012) was the oldest member of that team. With 1.78 m tall and 68 kilos, he had to fight for the position with Ado, from Corinthians. Disputed and often excoriated by the press and fans, he scored the Brazilian goal in the duel against England, in the second round of the group stage. After a cross from the right, Francis Lee headed from close range and the goalkeeper made a good save, in two halves. But the English player, hoping to get the rebound, which wasn’t there, kicked the Brazilian in the face: it was a cowardly attack. Félix also made a miraculous save in the semifinal, against Uruguay, in Guadalajara, after a point-blank header from Cubilla.
O The national team’s number 1 had the respect of his teammates and the Brazilian coach. In the book Lessons from the World Cupwritten by Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, the coach of the third championship praised Félix: “(…) Félix, there was no one who missed this, he made a sensational, impressive, masterful defense! Some even seemed like miracles. One goal or another, in which any of his inconceivable defenses were converted, could perhaps make us go up to Calvary. In certain psychologically decisive moments, when the score was tilted towards us with a minimal difference, like in the prelim against Uruguay, Félix’s presence was like an unbreakable support. (…) He had morals, he had experience, he had presence and he had game. (…).” Félix wore Juventus, Portuguesa de Desportos and Fluminense shirts. He deserves to be in the national football gallery of honor.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
