Three-Star Status Earned

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The visual identity of the Brazilian team underwent a significant transformation prior to this era. Following the national mourning and 'Maracanazo' defeat by Uruguay in 1950, the colors were changed from all white to the yellow, blue, and green of the national flag for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland to forget that tragedy. By 1970, this iconic kit became the canvas for history. When Brazil lifted the Jules Rimet trophy for the third time, they fulfilled a unique historical stipulation: the first nation to do so was allowed to keep the physical cup. A replacement trophy was then commissioned, though it would be 24 years before Brazil next won it. The three stars on the jersey became the permanent symbol of this singular achievement, distinguishing them from all other nations at that time.

In Their Own Story

The 1970 World Cup in Mexico saw Brazil win every single one of their six games, with all but two matches secured by a margin of two or more goals. The final was played in Mexico City, distinct from the other five matches which were held in Guadalajara. Jairzinho was the second top scorer with seven goals, notably scoring in all six of his team's games, while Pelé contributed four goals. On the pitch, the squad displayed a level of dominance that saw them defeat hosts Sweden 5–2 in the final to win their third title. This triumph made Brazil the first nation to win three World Cups and the first to do so outside its own continent, having previously won in 1958 and 1962. The victory was not just a sporting success but a historic milestone that allowed them to retain the original trophy forever.

Reader's Guide

The path to the third star began with lessons learned from previous failures. After losing the 1950 final to Uruguay in a match infamously known as 'the Maracanazo,' which playwright Nelson Rodrigues called Brazil's 'Hiroshima,' the team reformed. By 1970, they had evolved into a squad that could not be stopped. The preparation for 1970 built upon the rigorous methods established in 1958 under coach Vicente Feola, who imposed strict rules on player behavior and utilized specialized staff including a psychologist and dentist to ensure peak performance. While Pelé had suffered brutal physical treatment in 1966, leading him to declare he would not play again before returning for this tournament, the 1970 squad capitalized on his genius. They won all six games, proving that their tactical discipline and individual brilliance were unmatched, setting a standard of perfection that defined the 'Golden Era' from 1958 to 1970.

Did You Know?

• Brazil was the first nation to win a World Cup title outside of its own continent, achieving this feat in Sweden in 1958.
• In the 1970 final, Jairzinho scored in all six of Brazil's matches, finishing as the second top scorer with seven goals.
• The Jules Rimet trophy was permanently awarded to Brazil after their third win in 1970 because they were the first nation to achieve this milestone since the tournament began in 1930.
• During the 1958 World Cup, the team sent all 28 female staff members home to reduce distractions and imposed a strict list of 40 forbidden behaviors for players.
• Brazil lost their first match at the inaugural 1930 World Cup to Yugoslavia but reached the semi-finals in France in 1938.