TWENTY-ONE YEARS LATER, A MEMORY THAT NEVER FADES: PELÉ'S GENIUS
 — Geraldo Romualdo da Silva | 01/10/1981 —

The Copa Libertadores da América — the official name of the South American Champions Cup — emerged in 1960, after the South American Football Confederation obtained the green light to organize it, ultimately based on three of its main affiliated entities. : Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Before that, we had our own event, with 31 continental events in 44 years of existence. Nor could it be said that it was an expressionless and difficult event. That was never the case. In any case, the political implications and serious field conflicts have become so frequent and dangerous, so uncomfortable for governments, that the best thing — the leaders predicted — would be to cancel them altogether.

The success achieved by the European Cup, however, would constitute the most significant fact for America to embark on the adventure of confronting the football played there more regularly. If only, with a view to establishing the true and more authentic hegemony of this sport, in broader international terms. On the other hand, it is clear that it was due to Brazil's surprising success in the Jules Rimet Cup, in '58, and the victorious rise of Santos and Botafogo, in their exhaustive tours through France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands, full approval of the project by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations).

In order not to break the habit, the South American Confederation tried to excite the Europeans with a demonstration of vigor hitherto unknown outside of here: "We have clubs of unusual size, we are a continent with a vast population, in its entirety enthusiastically involved in football, and we believe Sincerely, despite the many headaches that bring sports for the passion that generates, we can always add more successes to those already achieved by UEFA".

SCARONE'S FABULOUS PEÑAROL.

The first champion of the Libertadores was the illustrious Peñarol from Montevideo, a club with a respectable tradition in Uruguay, 90 years old, originally Central Uruguay Railways Cricket Club and Peñarol, after 1913. This Peñarol, champion of the Libertadores of 60, asserted itself as the best of his country in 1958 and 1959, maintaining his invincible team panache through the years 60, 61 and 62. Managed it, at the time, by a direct descendant of ancient and heroic Olympians — Roberto Scarone — classic centre-half, and a internationally renowned physical trainer, Hugo Bagnulo.

A coach with a paternalistic style and character, absolutely anti-dictator on and off the field, Scarone has always been an irremovable supporter of pure "offensivism", based on the 4-2-4 of Ondino Viera and Martim Francisco — a rigorously uncontaminated 4-2-4 also due to the power of the 4-3-3 "contraction" that would help Brazil overcome its biggest obstacles in the World Cup in Sweden. Effectively, it was a model team. With a brave leader at the heart of the field, Nestor "Tito" Gonçalves. A perfect goalkeeper — "el gato" Maidana. A tirelessly brilliant libero — Salvador. And its outstanding complements; Cubillas, Linazza, Matosas, Spencer, Pedro Rocha and Hoberg.

In the 1961 Libertadores, Peñarol gave the feeling of no longer being the same. Veterans like Hoberg and Martínez, 34 and 35 years old, were far from supporting the pace of younger groups. Despite this, three new reinforcements — Sacia, Joya and Ledesma — were enough for the title to return to Montevideo again. This time, Scarone had to give up his offensive potential in favor of greater caution with the defense.

It was the beginning of the end for a great champion.

THE SANTOS STAR SHINES.

The 1962 Copa Libertadores not only revealed a new champion, but a different champion, possessed of another art, another gaming philosophy: Santos, of Luis Alonso Perez, Lula, his divine Pelé and a constellation of stars like no other for many, many years — in America, in Europe, or wherever a ball rolled, arousing emotions and defining superiority. At the beginning of this dizzying rise, a small dispute: the South American Confederation tries to open a place for the runner-up, a maneuver generated by Uruguayan football. The Brazilian Sports Confederations did not allow it. Havelange's theory was irreplicable:


— If the tournament was made for champions, and only champions have participated in it, it will not be now that we accept the change in the rules of the game.


Intransigence can emerge victorious in the first debates. Later, however, the CBD itself admitted to changing its old conception regarding this debatable duality of interests, and the Cup began to lose part of its more traditional strength. In any case, Santos had the privilege of facing the first two disputes alone. From both, always returning with the glories of champion.

It was an unforgettable team. Literally unbeatable wherever they appeared. With Gilmar, Mauro, Zito, Mengálvio, Dorval, Coutinho, Pelé and Pepe, in the upper plane. Very well supported by players who would have a triumphant career anywhere. For example, Calvet, a top-ranked full-back; Dalmo, perhaps a little more obscure, but of remarkable regularity. Substitutes Silas and Laércio; Geraldinho and Olavo. Finally, a rare gem of technique, leadership and resistance that has rarely been admired in the long history of football: Carlos Alberto Torres, incredible as it may seem, to this day occupying special spaces in sports newspapers in the United States, where he has played for around four years.

A MEMORABLE FINAL AT BOMBONERA.

Everything that Santos did in these years cannot be compared to any other South American or European champion. Not even the legendary Real Madrid. There were those indescribable 90 minutes against Benfica, in Lisbon — a performance that the Portuguese would describe as the most dazzling of all World Cups. Strictly speaking, however, the one that most moved the Brazilian, due to the natural difficulties of the confrontation, was that of Buenos Aires, in the "smoking cauldron" of Bombonera. Triumph achieved by Pelé's genius, his unmistakable personality, his high spirit of emulation. On the other side, fighting him in every part of the field, an angry, combative, defiant and non-conformist Boca — Errea; Simone, Magdalena, Orlando Peçanha and Marzolini; Rattin and Grillo; Rijas, Menendez, Sanfilippo and González. Culminating with a season rematch at Maracanã. Reproduction of another, against Milan, although without Pelé, worthy of appearing in any encyclopedia.

These were Santos' golden years. Succeeded in 1964, by Independiente. Just a pale repetition of Santos and Peñarol. With Santoro; Ferreiro, Guzmán, Acevedo and Rolán; Maldonado (Mori) and Mura (Prospitti); Bernão, Suárez, Mário Rodrigues and Savoy.