In a very rare interview with TV Tupi, the King was uncomfortable with the “already won” atmosphere
In 1966, Pelé gave a long interview to Ely Coimbra, from TV Tupi, directly from the team’s concentration in Caxambu, Minas Gerais. The national team, led by Vicente Feola, champion in 1958, was in the preparation phase for the World Cup in England.
The King was already renowned, he had won the two previous World Cups, but he didn’t like the “already won” atmosphere: “It is quite difficult and you will have the opportunity to see this. In fact, I was talking to some friends here about the Brazilian public who think that Brazil is already champion. Even a flag with the third championship came to bring us to sign at the hotel. And I don’t like that. I think this is a huge burden, we have to wait for things to get back to normal and football can only be won on the field..”
In the 1966 World Cup, the Brazilian team had a poor campaign and was eliminated in the first phase and ended up in eleventh place.
The TV Tupi program is worth watching, mainly for the rare images of Pelé’s goals. The recording begins with Brazil and Mexico, the national debut game in the 1962 World Cup, in Chile. The narration is by Walter Abrão.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
