GARRINCHA, the ace Brazilian winger, signed autographs for waiting fans at Glasgow Airport (main image). Pele, his team-mate, went for a walk in the Glasgow rain.
It was June, 1966, and the reigning World Cup holders had arrived in Glasgow for a friendly at Hampden against Scotland, prior to the World Cup that was being staged in England that summer.
Vicente Feola, the Brazil manager, declared that he would field every one of his leading stars against Scotland.
“I promise the Scottish football supporters”, he said, speaking through an interpreter, “that they will see every one of the players I consider has a chance of playing in the finals. Pele will most certainly play and so will Garrincha – although they will not necessarily be on the field for the entire game”.
Pele himself was the centre of attention as the Brazilian squad trained at Troon.
Evening Times sportswriter Gair Henderson spent time with the distinguished visitors and on the eve of the match he wrote: “The Brazilians are friendly. Pele, the greatest player in the game – or at least in the first three on merit – is no big head. His smile is like sunshine ... he talks modestly of himself ... and proudly of the other Brazilian stars”.
The friendly ended in a 1-1 draw, Stevie Chalmers giving Scotland an early lead but Servilio equalising 15 minutes later. “The humble sparring partner gave an account of himself against the proud champion which exceeded all expectations”, began Raymond Jacobs’s account in the Glasgow Herald.
Brazilian newspapers, however, claimed that Scotland had indulged in rough play with Pele, who is seen here (main image) remonstrating with Ronnie McKinnon after he had again been shackled by Billy Bremner.
Read more: Herald Diary
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