Carlos Alberto, captain of the greatest Brazil side ever in 1970, dies at 72

Carlos Alberto, captain of the great Brazil team that won the 1970 World Cup, died on Tuesday of a heart attack in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 72, Brazil’s Sportv, for whom he worked, announced.

Carlos Alberton, who captained what is regarded as the greatest Brazil side of all time to victory in the 1970 World Cup final, has died of a heart attack in Rio De Janeiro age 72. Bruno Domingos / Reuters
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RIO DE JANEIRO // Carlos Alberto, captain of the great Brazil team that won the 1970 World Cup, died on Tuesday of a heart attack in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 72, Brazil’s Sportv, for whom he worked, announced.

Carlos Alberto starred alongside Pele, Tostao, Jairzinho and Rivelino in the Brazil team that beat Italy 4-1 in the final in Mexico and is considered as one of the greatest sides of all time.

A right-back, he scored the last goal in the final, running onto a Pele pass and smashing in a thunderous shot with his right foot.

“Carlos Alberto Torres was an example of guts and leadership,” Brazil president Michel Temer said on Twitter. “I’m saddened by the loss of the captain who led Brazil to their third World Cup win.”

Born in Rio in 1944, “Capita” as he is known in Brazil, also played alongside Pele at Santos from 1966 to 1974 and at the New York Cosmos from 1977 to 1980 after beginning his career with Fluminense.

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Carlos Alberto, a legendary player and wonderful person,” the New York club said on Twitter. “He’ll always remain part of the Cosmos family.”

He hung up his boots in 1982 and started his coaching career with Flamengo, winning a Brazilian title before working in the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Oman and Azerbaijan.

Tributes poured in from around the football world with world soccer’s governing body Fifa calling him a “born leader” and Santos declaring three days of mourning.

“Santos FC are saddened by the death of idol Carlos Alberto Torres,” the club said. “He played 445 matches and scored 40 goals between 1965 and 1975 and is considered the greatest full back in the club’s history.”

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