By David Gold
August 16 – Brazil has bid farewell to the famous stadium where they announced their arrival as a world football force at the World Cup in 1958.
Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 in the final of that tournament at the Råsunda Stadium (pictured above) in Stockholm, and was invited to compete in the last match ever to be played there last night.
That World Cup final saw a 17-year-old Pelé score two goals as he marked his arrival on the world stage by helping Brazil to the first of their record five World Cup victories.
Pelé and Brazil went on to win the subsequent World Cup in 1962 in Chile, and then the 1970 tournament in Mexico.
Back in Sweden for the occasion last night, Pelé said: “The biggest memory of being here is that Brazil was unknown until we won the World Cup.
“It’s still alive, this feeling of helping Brazil.
“Brazil started here.
“Before 1958 nobody knew Brazil – even the name on the flag was wrong and [player Mário] Zagallo asked them to fix it.”
Completing the sense of history and occasion was the presence of Ulf Lindberg, one of the children born to legendary Brazilian Garrincha.
Although debates often pit Argentina’s Diego Maradona and Pelé (pictured above, centre, with Swedish former soccer players at the Råsunda stadium) against each other for the title of the world’s greatest player, many Brazilians actually believe Garrincha is more deserving of the title.
He was in phenomenal form during the 1958 and 1962 World Cups, and his role in that legendary Brazilian side is easily understated.
His unpredictable dribbling, pace and agility made him a handful for opponents, who often did not know how to deal with him.
Swedish footballer Kurt Hamrin, who played in the 1958 World Cup final, said: “I remember Garrincha hitting two crosses in that game and generally doing all the things he was great at.
“He was without a doubt the best right-winger in the world.”
Brazil won last night’s friendly 3-0, Leandro Damião opening the scoring before two late goals from Alexandre Pato secured the win.
The Råsunda will be demolished at the end of the Swedish domestic season this winter, and the new Friends Arena in Stockholm will open with a friendly against England in November.
The Swedish Football Association has reportedly offered to send artefacts from the famous ground after its demolition to their Brazilian counterparts.
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