Who was Carlos Alberto? Five biggest facts about Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winning captain Carlos Alberto – scorer of one of football’s greatest goals

CARLOS ALBERTO has died at the age of 72 as the football world mourns one of the most humble men in the game. 

Regarded as one of the best ever right backs to have played Alberto is in the Brazil Football Museum Hall of Fame.

But was he any good? Well one of the most iconic figures in the game scored one of the most famous goals ever witnessed in the game. Here is the guide to the legend that was Carlos Alberto.

Here are five facts about the career of the Brazil legend:

1. That Goal, 1970 World Cup Final

Its over 46 years ago but Alberto's goal is still regarded as one of the best ever to have been scored in the history of the game.

On the back of some scintillating football in the final of the 1970 World Cup final the ball was passed by the legendary Pele to what seemed like an open space where no other player was but Alberto anticipated the ball and ran on to it like a steam train smashing it in to the bottom left hand corner from the right hand side of the box.

2. Captain fantastic 

Alberto captained Brazil to the 1970 World Cup win, in a final watched by millions where the beauty of the Brazilian beat thrashed the resilient, defensive one minded approach by Italy.

The football was sublime and Alberto was the pinnacle of attacks playing as an attacking right back of the modern era.

The Italians simply could not live with Brazil and their samba beat passing, Alberto was hailed as a hero when he lifted the World Cup above his head crowning Brazil as world champions.

Alberto went on to earn 53 caps for the national side scoring an 8 goals by bombing forward and causing havoc as relentless attacking full back.

3. Winner 

Alberto won nine major honours as a player at club and international level.

He represented Santos, Fluminense and Flamengo in Brazil, whilst in America he was part of the famous New York Cosmos team.

The 72 year old never played in Europe and played his club football only in Brazil and North America just as the great Pele never came to Europe.

Not seeing the likes of Alberto play in the big competitions like the European Cup will always be a great shame.

Fluminense

Campeonato Carioca: 1964, 1975, 1976

Taca Guananara: 1996, 1975

Santos 

Recopa Sul-Americana: 1968

Taca de Prata: 1968

Paulista Championship: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973

New York Cosmos 

NASL Soccer Bowl Championships: 1977, 1978, 1990, 1982

Eastern Division, National Conference: 1978. 1979, 1980, 1982

Trans-Atlantic Cup Championships: 1980

Brazil

FIFA World Cup: 1970

4. Team of the Century 

How many great full backs were there to have played in the 20th century? The likes of Cafu, Jorginho and Berti Vogts of Germany are to name but a few who may well be rattled off as some of the best.

But it goes to show you how good Alberto was to be named in the 'World Team of the 20th Century ' beating right backs of such calibre is a huge achievement.

Even more so as a defender in the great Brazilian team in the 70's where total football blitzed the world and had everyone in awe of the Brazilian game where it seemed perfect football was created.

5. Michael Owen is a midget 

Alberto managed Azerbaijan and in 2005 tore in to Michael Owen over comments he had made about the Brazilian's team.

Alberto went in to a tirade slamming Owen for being disrespectful for saying he could score 5 past his team if Poland could beat Azerbaijan 8-0!

"I'd like to tell this little guy that he should have some respect. I've been in football for 45 years. Who is Michael Owen? What has he won? The World Cup? OK, he plays for Real Madrid but he is on the bench every game and he does not have the right to say he will score five goals against us.

"He needs to clean his tongue and wash David Beckham's boots with it because they got rain on them tonight and that's all he's worth. He thinks he's the king but who is he? What is his history?"

Needless to say this didn't go down as one of Alberto's finest moments.