This Day in History: 2023-06-06

Nr. 470

MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY (1970)

It was the photograph that the footballing world had been waiting for: England’s Bobby Moore, arguably the best defender in the world, embracing Brazil legend Pelé in friendship. Two of the knights of the football world, famed for their sportsmanship, swapped shirts atter doing battle in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Victory in Guadalajara went to the Brazihan, who supphed the final assist for the winning goal. Pelé turned down swap offers from other England players so that he could exchange shirts with the man he rated «the greatest defender I ever played against».

The picture of two of the game’s legends after a bruising match remains one of the most iconic shots in World Cup history.