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Goal.com UK Exclusive: 1970 World Cup Winning Brazil Captain Carlos Alberto To Undergo Surgery In The United Kingdom

Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning captain finds himself 'in the right place, at the right time'

Nov 14, 2009 12:05:32 AM

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Carlos Alberto Torres (zebananas.com)

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Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning team's captain Carlos Alberto is undergoing surgery in Leeds after a recurrence of a knee injury sustained during his playing career.

The 65-year old is a much-revered figure around the globe having captained the likes of Pele, Gelson, Jairzinho and Roberto Rivelino; his name has become synonymous with one of the greatest of all the Brazilian teams.

His visit to Leeds was initially to meet with Simon Clifford, founder of the Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS) - the world's largest football coaching organization - and the world's first soccer-specific programme for children, SOCATOTS, to discuss obtaining the rights to introduce both operations in Brazil itself.

Carlos Alberto had previously been invited to, and attended, the BSS and SOCATOTS Annual Training Week three years ago, and having been inspired by the use of Futebol de Salao - the small sided game which uses a size two, weighted football - he returned to the Britain this time around to discuss rolling the programme out in his home country.

His right knee was last operated on in 1971, but having aggravated the injury, Carlos Alberto - who was due to fly back in South America on Saturday - was visited by a general practitioner from Leeds General Infirmary who advised the Selecao legend that surgery was necessary.

A hospital source has told Goal.com UK: "Carlos Alberto is in good spirits and will remain in Leeds for five-six days in order to make a successful recovery."

Thus, leaving the Brazil icon no choice but to enjoy his nation's upcoming friendly encounter with England, on English soil.

"Fate has it that he would have been flying home when the England versus Brazil match is on, but he'll now be able to watch it from the comfort of his bed in Leeds."

Among his many feats, Carlos Alberto scored arguably the finest goal in history, firing home the fourth in Brazil's epic 4-1 victory over Italy in the 1970 World Cup final.

In total, he was capped 57 times for his national side during a career that included stints with such clubs as Fluminese, Santos, Fluminese and North American Soccer League glamour side New York Cosmos - where he featured alongside the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, and Johan Cruyff.

In 2004, Pele named the former right-back as one of the 125 greatest living footballers, whilst he was also selected in the World Team of the 20th Century alongside the likes of Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini.

Will Wood, Goal.com UK

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