“Me, Pelé, Rivera and Annamaria”. From Piracicaba to the world: interview with José Altafini

José Altafini’s life was not one. His legend is intertwined with those of Pelé, Rivera, Sivori, Cesare Maldini and Annamaria. He started on the dusty streets of his home, became king of Europe at Wembley, crossed South American and European football leaving his mark everywhere. “I was still a child and was already chasing a ball with my friends in the streets and squares of Piracicaba, the city in the state of São Paulo, where I was born. Barefoot and a heart full of happiness”. When he grew up, once he put on socks and shoes, that child then played alongside Edson Arantes do Nacimento, known as Pelé, Nils Liedholm, Gianni Rivera, Dino Zoff and Omar Sivori. He set fire to the crowds. He has become a living legend. José Altafini, from Piracicaba, is still on the run, because life cannot wait. Especially now that he is about to cross the finish line of 85 candles (July 24th). With him we try to make a pindaric flight. From the streets of Piracicaba we jump, in one go, to the first fateful day of his life as a predestined champion. It was June 29, 1958. At the Rasundastadion in Solna, near Stockholm, Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 in the final and became world champions.