Carlos Alberto Torres Biography

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KICKOFF :

Who is known as one of the best defenders in the game of football and was the man behind a ‘wonder goal’ in the finals of 1970 Football World Cup? It’s none other than Carlos Albert Torres. The Brazilian striker is widely regarded by critics and fans as one of the greatest players emerged from Brazil’s soil. He captained Brazil national football team to victory in the FIFA World Cup in 1970, where he scored the victory goal. That goal is considered one amongst the greatest goals in the history of the mega tournament.

HIS-STORY :

Born on 17th July, 1944 in Rio de Janeiro, Carlos had passion for soccer from an early age. He was selected at the age of 19 for Fluminense Football Club which is based in Larenjeiras, close to the city of Rio de Janeiro. He earned fame in the first season only where he garnered immense appreciation from all around because of his ball handling and reading capability, excellent control of the ball and quick dribbling abilities which were unique at that time for a defender.

At the age of 22, he moved to Santos Football Club, which was one of the finest clubs at that time. He became a teammate of Brazilian legendary footballer, Pele. He again returned back to his older football club, Fluminense where he helped his team win significant championships. After playing brilliantly in Fluminense, three years later in 1977, he moved to Flamengo football, which was the arch-rival of Fluminense. Though he earned enormous success in Brazil under these clubs, despite his excellent performances, Carlos Alberto Torres decided to switch to the New York Cosmos football club.

He arrived in New York on 13th July, 1977, when the city was reeling under a severe electricity blackout. He then reunited with his friend Pele and helped the club win two important North American Soccer League (NASL) titles in a row in 1977 and 1978. He then joined California Surf football club, where he spent one year of his career winning the third NASL title. Despite his outstanding performance, he was not selected for the final 22 of the 1966 Football World Cup which surprised most of the experts at that time. As a result, Brazil performed very pathetically in the World Cup in England and following this mistake, he was then selected for 1970 Football World Cup squad in which he performed his all-time best.

Torres was unable to participate in the next 1974 World Cup due to his persistent knee injury. He was then selected in 1977 by Brazilian coach and manager, Claudio Coutinho, to lead the national team for the first three qualifiers for the World Cup Football of 1978, but Carlos performed well despite these being competitive tournaments that he had played in almost seven years. As he had nothing to prove further, he took retirement at the age of 33 and started his coaching career which lasted until 2005.

SCORE BOARD :

Carlos Alberto Torres was an expert in reading the ball, backed with the ability to tackle and dribble quickly. Due to his excellent football skills and performance under several football clubs, he was given the duty to lead the team of 1970 World Cup Football. He scored the winning goal against Italy in the finals, which is considered till today as one of the greatest goals ever scored in the history of World Cup. His contribution to the national football team is considered as one of the greatest contributions as an attacking right-back player.

In his overall club career, he has won Campeonato Carioca three times and Taca Guanabara Championship twice under Fluminense. At Santos, he showed extraordinary performances where he won Recopa Su-Americana once, Taca de Prata once and Paulista Championship four times. Under New York Cosmos, he won NASL Soccer Bowl Championship four times, Eastern Division and National Conference four times and Trans-Atlantic Cup Championship once in 1980. He is a proud inductee into the World Team of the 20th Century, FIFA 100, and National Soccer Hall of Fame. He was also named among the top 125 greatest living footballers in 2004.

EXTRA TIME :

Carlos Alberto Torres has a son named Carlos Alexandre Torres who has been a professional football player having played for football clubs like Vasco da Gama, Nagoya Grampus, and Fluminense. Carlos Alberto managed several football clubs in his career. Besides managing Flamengo, he also managed clubs like Corinthians, Nautico, Once Caldas, Monterrey, and Club Tijuana. He was also a former assistant manager of the national football team of Nigeria, Oman national football team, and Azerbaijan national football team.

TIE BREAKER :

Carlos Alberto Torres will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all times and especially his name will be written in Golden Words for the Brazilian victory in 1970 World Cup Football finals.