Carlos Alberto captained the Brazil side of 1970, widely regarded as the greatest team ever to play the game, and crowned their World Cup triumph with a thunderous goal in the final that stands as one of the sport’s enduring images. A commanding right-back, he brought authority, timing and attacking thrust from defence.
At club level he was a leading figure at Santos alongside Pelé, and later at Fluminense. His marauding runs and leadership made him the prototype of the modern overlapping full-back, and his name remains synonymous with football at its most joyful and complete.