“Pele had an unpredictability of his own. His name is genius »-Corriere.it

“If he played today, nothing but a thousand goals: he would score at least twice as many.” Dino Zoff has gone through over half a century of great football, from the 1950s to the new millennium, first as a goalkeeper and then as a coach, he won a lot, sometimes he lost, he knew different eras, different champions, styles, forms, fashions. And he has no doubts about Pelé: «he wasn’t a champion, he was a champion».

«In the history of football there have been several champions, but there are very few champions, like Pelé and Maradona. Let’s say that Diego was an artist, different from Pele, who was more of a striker, but both are equal leaders in this historical dualism, both are football. They did things that others didn’t do.”

Like surviving tackles from old-fashioned full-backs.

«Today football players are better protected, even if I don’t like this word. Just think of the extra penalties he could have kicked. And yet, even though they beat him all game long, he was a magician.’

Altafini claims he was also very good in goal.

«If José says so… However, it doesn’t surprise me: Pelé knew how to do everything, this was his true greatness, his real difference, even compared to the current champions».

It is not possible to identify an heir then? Ronaldo the phenomenon? Or Mbappé today?

«Very great champions, but more sectoral. Each of them excels in some characteristics, but none has had the completeness of Pelé, who scored in every way, right foot, left foot, head, strength, speed, cunning».

What does a goalkeeper think when faced with Pelé or Maradona?

“If you think, it’s over. You can’t dare predict what they can do, because unlike normal players they are unpredictable, they have a creativity that is unique to them. It’s called genius.”

Was Pelé’s fear decisive in the 1970 final loss? According to some blue who played that game, yes.

“I do not think so. We lost that day because they were stronger overall, that’s all.”

Do you remember any particular meeting with Pelé?

“We have met many times. We played against the USA in a friendly match (at the 1976 Bicentennial tournament, ed). I keep a photograph of that day in the living room: I gave him a parade, I still remember it today ».

The first thought, the first detail that comes to mind when you remember Pelé as a player and Pelé as a man?

«Only one: the smile. On and off the pitch, it was always the same.”