At the 1958 World Cup, a 17-year-old Pele left an indelible mark on the soccer world when he led Brazil to victory over Sweden in the final held in Stockholm. This World Cup in Sweden signified a significant shift in the tournament’s history. While the 1954 event in Switzerland had limited televised coverage, the 1958 competition became the first to receive widespread international television attention. This development provided a global stage for a young prodigy, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, universally recognized as Pele, who would become one of the 20th century’s most renowned athletes and the greatest soccer player of all time.
Where to Buy Brazil Jersey in the US
For fans in the United States eager to sport the iconic yellow and green, there are several online retailers and sports outlets that provide authentic Brazil jerseys.
Nike – Explore a wide selection that includes scarves, hats, balls, tees, jackets, tank tops, and more. Check out the official Brazil jersey collection and gear at Nike.com.
WorldSoccerShop.com – Here, you can find Brazil jersey featuring renowned players like Neymar, Richarlison, Coutinho, Vinicius Junior, Fabinho, and Martinelli
Soccerzone – Great variety of Neymar and Vinicius Jr Brazil jersey, training tops, prematch training jerseys at Soccerzone USA.
Signed memorabilia
Icons.com – Interested in owning a signed Brazil jersey from legends like Pelé, Ronaldo, Cafu, or Roberto Carlos? Explore a wide range of jerseys, boots, gloves, photos, and more at icons.com!
A1sportingmemorabilia– Explore unique shirts with multiple signatures like the framed Pele & Ronaldo signed retro Brazil jersey or framed Brazil 1970 shirt signed by Pele, Gerson, Jairzinho & Carlos Alberto, available from £1,099 at a1sportingmemorabilia.
FIFA store – Discover an exclusive framed Brazil jersey personally signed by Ronaldo during a private signing session. The 2022/2023 Brazil shirt includes an official FIFA World Cup Certificate of Authenticity, providing 100% proof of the genuine signature.
The Youngest Star and a Legend’s Debut
Pele’s journey in the 1958 World Cup was remarkable. He missed the first two matches due to injury but made his appearance in Brazil jersey in their final group game against the Soviet Union on June 15 in Gothenburg, Sweden. His breakthrough came in the quarterfinals against Wales when he scored his first goal, followed by a stunning hat trick in the semifinals against France. In the final, he added two more goals to his tally, contributing to Brazil’s triumph, which marked the start of their illustrious World Cup legacy. This tournament was a turning point in soccer history, as it introduced the world to the extraordinary talents of Pele and laid the foundation for the Brazil jersey and Brazilian national team’s enduring success.
The game against the Soviet Union also marked the debut of the talented winger Garrincha, affectionately known as the “Little Bird.” Garrincha would go on to play a pivotal role in the Brazilian team’s dominance of world soccer in the years to come.
The Tournament Format
Tournament Structure: In an attempt to refine the competition, FIFA experimented with a new format in 1958. The 16 participating nations were still divided into four groups, but unlike the previous tournament in Switzerland, this time, all the teams within each group faced each other. Extra time was no longer employed to resolve drawn matches. The top two teams in each group advanced to the quarterfinals, and a one-game playoff was utilized in cases where the second- and third-placed teams ended up tied on points.
The Final
On the day of the final, heavy rain had soaked the pitch as Brazil and Sweden stepped onto the slippery field at Stockholm’s Rasunda stadium. A crowd of 50,000 spectators filled the stadium, with millions more tuning in from around the world to watch the match on television. Brazilian manager Vicente Feola made a pivotal decision by substituting defender Newton de Sordi and introducing Djalma Santos, who was participating in his first match of the competition and was a member of the 1954 World Cup squad. This tactical change proved astute as Djalma Santos and Nilton Santos expertly collaborated to neutralize the dynamic Swedish scoring duo of Lennart Skoglund and Kurt Hamrin.
Despite these preparations, it was Sweden who made the initial breakthrough. Gunnar Gren delivered a pass to Nils Liedholm, who evaded two defenders and placed the ball into the right-hand corner of the net in the fourth minute. This marked the first time Brazil had fallen behind in the tournament. However, Brazil responded immediately, with Garrincha beating his marker and delivering a pass to Vava, who found the net to level the score just five minutes later. The same combination between Garrincha and Vava resulted in another goal at the 30-minute mark, with Vava scoring a nearly identical goal.
Pele extended Brazil’s lead in the 55th minute with an extraordinary and breathtaking goal. He found himself amidst a crowd inside the penalty area, with his back to the goal. In a display of incredible skill, he controlled a high pass with his chest, flicked the ball over his head while under the watchful eye of a defender, executed a swift turn, and volleyed the ball past Swedish goalkeeper Karl Svensson. It was a goal that etched his name into the annals of football history, and the birth of a legend was celebrated.
Experience the magic of this legendary goal in a vibrant Brazil jersey in the colorized video:
Winger Mario Zagalo, who would later become Brazil’s victorious coach at the 1970 World Cup, added another goal to make it 4-1 just 13 minutes later. Sweden’s Agne Simonsson managed to score with only 10 minutes remaining in regulation time, but Pele secured his second goal of the game in the 89th minute. His header, rising majestically through the air from a Zagallo cross, sealed Brazil’s triumph and secured their first star on Brazil jersey for eternity.
This victory was especially sweet for Brazil, as it followed two consecutive disappointments: the shocking loss to Uruguay on home soil at the Maracana in 1950 and elimination in the quarterfinals by Hungary in 1954. Brazil had finally fulfilled its destiny, becoming champions of the world. As Pele and the rest of the team shed tears of joy, the gracious and classy Stockholm crowd applauded the new world champions. In a gesture of sportsmanship, Brazil conducted a lap of honor around the field while carrying a Swedish flag.
Statistics of the tournament
- Number of participating teams: 16
- Top scorer: France’s Just Fontaine (13 goals)
- Number of games: 35
- Total goals scored: 126
- Average goals per game: 3.60
- Highest-scoring game: France’s 7-3 win over Paraguay on June 8
- Total attendance: 868,000
- Average attendance: 24,800
Player of the Tournament: Brazil jersey shining
Pele. While Just Fontaine set a World Cup record with 13 goals, it was Pele who truly captured the imagination of fans in Sweden. With six goals to his name, including a pair in the final, the 17-year-old from humble beginnings announced his presence to the world.
Brazil Jersey: Pelé’s Hattrick in 20 Minutes
Brazil’s 5-2 victory over France in the semifinals stands out as the match of the tournament. The two teams battled evenly in the first 45 minutes, with Brazil holding a precarious 2-1 lead at halftime. However, the second half witnessed a mesmerizing display by the players in Brazil jersey, led by Pele, who scored a hat-trick in just 20 minutes. It was an unbelievable spectacle of skill and artistry.
Ronaldo established a new club
Pele has earned his place among an exclusive group being the only one wearing Brazil jersey of four players who scored in four different World Cups (1958-1970), while Cristiano Ronaldo proudly founded his own club, having netted in five different World Cups after he netted one in Portugal’s opener against Ghana at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The other three members of this prestigious club are West Germany’s Uwe Seeler (1958-1970), Germany’s Miroslav Klose (2002-2014), Argentine legend Lionel Messi (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022).
The Sole Player Adding Three Stars to the Brazil Jersey
At the tender age of 17 years and 239 days, Pele achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest player ever to score at the World Cup having been 17 years and 239 days old when he scored against Wales during Brazil’s quarterfinal. Furthermore, Pele is not only the youngest World Cup winner but also the sole player to have won the tournament three times (in 1958, 1962, and 1970).
Just Rewards for Fontaine
Just Fontaine’s World Cup journey in Sweden had an unlikely beginning. He was not initially part of France’s starting lineup and only received his opportunity due to an injury to Rene Bliard before the tournament commenced. Fontaine seized the chance and delivered an outstanding performance in Sweden. He began with a hat trick in France’s opening game, a resounding 7-3 victory over Paraguay. Fontaine capped his World Cup campaign with a stunning four-goal display against West Germany in the third-place match. In just six games, Fontaine, benefiting from sublime passes by the incomparable Raymond Kopa in midfield, set a World Cup record with 13 goals. It’s a record that appears unlikely to ever be surpassed.
Click and Discover Pelé’s 7 Ballon d’Or Wins and the Story Behind His Special Black Brazil Jersey:
Brazil Jersey Comes With Tactical Revolution
The 1958 World Cup witnessed Brazil’s introduction of the innovative 4-2-4 system, a departure from the more traditional Pyramid (2-3-5) and W-M (3-4-3) formations commonly used in football at the time. Under the 4-2-4 scheme, Brazil deployed two center-forwards supported by two wingers in attack. This strategic shift forced opposing teams to alter their defensive configurations, as they could no longer rely on a single central defender.
Although Brazil’s 4-2-4 formation featured four defensive players, it was far from a defensive approach. In addition to their defensive responsibilities, the two wing defenders were required to contribute to offensive maneuvers. Consequently, the formation effectively transitioned into a 2-4-4 when Brazil had possession, allowing them to maintain constant pressure on their opponents and dictate the tempo of the game. The critical factor was having two speedy wing defenders who could swiftly shift between defense and offense, effectively creating goal-scoring opportunities. Following Brazil’s World Cup triumph in Sweden, many nations adopted the 4-2-4 system.
Mighty Magyars Did Not Make it in 1958
In a surprising turn of events, Wales defeated Hungary 2-1 in the playoff to secure the second spot in their group, while Hungary was eliminated in the qualifiers. However, this Hungarian team was markedly different from the Magical Magyars who had enthralled spectators and opponents alike in Switzerland four years earlier. Key figures such as Ferenc Puskas, Sandor Kocsis, and Zoltan Czibor had fled their homeland for Spain in 1956 following the Soviet invasion, effectively ending their international careers with Hungary.
Interesting Stories
- Brazil’s 1958 victory remains the only instance of a South American country winning the World Cup on European soil.
- The 1958 World Cup was unique in that it featured all four teams from Great Britain—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—qualifying for the same tournament.
- After Argentina’s early exit from the competition in the first round, the team faced a less-than-warm reception upon their return to Buenos Aires, with angry fans pelting them with garbage.
- Brazil and England played to a goalless draw in the opening round, marking the first-ever goalless game in World Cup history.
- Center-forward Jose Altafini wearing Brazil jersey earned the nickname “Mazzola” due to his striking resemblance to former Italian captain Valentino Mazzola. Altafini would go on to represent Italy at the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
Pele passed away at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo after battling cancer. He was 82 years old when he passed away on December 29, 2022. A message from Pele’s official Twitter account on that day read: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love, and love, forever.”