The National Team in Poças de Caldas
Memories of the first concentration of the world champion team of Brazil in 1958 - Pictures of Antonio Lucio
Poços de Caldas - MG: the beginning of the 1958 world title journey
The success of the conquest by Brazil of the1958 World Cup has episodes that go far beyond the Swedish lands. The city of Poços de Caldas, located in the southern state of Minas Gerais (Brazil), was the scene of the 10-day concentration that would bring together players and technical staff of the Brazilian National Team for the first time.
Arrival of the selection to Poços de Caldas (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
The delegation leaded by Paulo Machado de Carvalho was gathered in two cities in Minas Gerais: Poços de Caldas and Araxá.
It was the first time that the National Team met outside Rio de Janeiro to prepare for a game. Between April 10th and 21st, 1958, 35 preselected players were evaluated. Only 22 went to World Cup in Sweden.
The photos that make up this exhibition are by Antonio Lucio.
Antonio Lúcio Rodrigues Ramos had a special appreciation for sports coverage. His photographs were published in newspapers such as "A Hora", "O Esporte", "O Cruzeiro", "Manchete" and "O Estado de S. Paulo".
He began to photograph still a boy, at the age of 14. With 16 years old, he won a contest by the newspaper "Notícias de Hoje", which opened many professional opportunities to him.
With a photojournalist career, he became internationally known for the quality of his images and for reporting scoops that earned him two Esso Awards throughout his life.
Deceased in 2000, victim of a cancer, he had his collection about the pre-games of Brazilian national team in Poços de Caldas discovered in 2013 by his daughter, the journalist Silvia Herrera. In 2018, Silvia released the book "Seleção Nunca Vista" [Never Seen National Team], publishing photographs of her father which she graciously gave to the Football Museum for the temporary exhibition "The First Star" and for this virtual exhibition.
The choice for Poços de Caldas
Spa for baths and mechanotherapy, the Palace Hotel for lodging and concentration, the Country Club for leisure practices and the Stadium Coronel Cristiano Osório available for training games... This was the structure offered to the Brazilian team, supporting Vinicius Vivas' argument, then Director of the Department of Tourism of Poços de Caldas, when he requested the candidacy of the city of Minas Gerais to receive the Brazilian National Team. The local newspapers recorded the National Team concentration step-by-step that, after the title, became part of the memory of the city.
Team ride (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
"We consult Your Honor about the possibility of the National Football Team of the World Cup concentrate in Poços de Caldas ... We urgently request an answer with conditions and clarifications. greetings."
Telegram sent to João Havelange, then president of CBD, by Vinicius Vivas - Folha de Poços, January 31, 1958.
Vicente Feola and his players (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
"I have a lot of sympathy for Poços de Caldas, undoubtedly one of the best hydrominerals resorts in Brazil. I think it's ideal for the national team. If it depends on me, Poços de Caldas will be chosen for the concentration of the national team" - Vicente Feola, Brazilian Team Coach - Folha de Poços, March 03, 1958.
Hilton Gosling, the team doctor, was the one who gave the final word about the choice of Poços de Caldas. Along with him were the physical trainer Paulo Amaral, the supervisor Carlos Nascimento, the dentist Mário Trigo, the psychologist João Carvalhaes and the masseur Mário Américo.
By Dmitri KesselLIFE Photo Collection
"The mayor of Poços de Caldas [Agostinho Loiola Junqueira] maintained a telephone contact with the private secretary of Mrs. Sara Kubitschek [Servulo Tavares], requesting the interference of the first lady of the country in the sense that this city was chosen as the site of the concentration of the Brazilian Team."
Journalist Agostinho Loiola Junqueira - Folha de Poços, March 03, 1958.
Goalkeeper in game-training pitch (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
Journalist Nilson Garcia: "How do you see the next World Championship?"
Dr. Hilton Gosling: "It is a difficult championship, in almost all countries that will participate, and plus its sponsor, the Sweden, aim for the same as us, that is, the final victory, and the coveted title of world champion of football".
Folha de Poços, March 31, 1958.
The Concentration
The first days of concentration were marked by a mix of medical and dental examinations, psychological, aesthetic care and recreational activities. The work done in this stage of preparation for the World Cup is considered by many to be the first concentration well crafted by Brazil before a World Cup.
Pepe and the psychologist João Carvalhaes (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
Mazzola in manicure (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
Jockey Club of Poços de Caldas (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
Gilmar and Bellini in the kitchen (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
The Technical Committee began to work with a larger group of professionals, and was dedicated to enhance the group's relationship, with players that came from clubs from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It was a time when few games were played outside the team's original region, so there was less contact between athletes living in different cities.
Relaxed, players pose for photo (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
The 14 of April of 1958 marks the beginning of the Danish Method practiced by the physical trainer Paulo Amaral. Considered rigorous at the time, it was demanded of the athletes:
stimulate "athletic block" ...
... which consisted in the emphasis on gymnastics.
"organic block" with long jump.
Football field of concentration hotel in Poços de Caldas (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
And the games simulations, called "technical block".
Zito, Gilmar and Pelé (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
"At 9:20 am of yesterday it was started the individual physical training among the athletes at the A.A. Caldense Stadium, preceded by a lecture by Mr. Paulo Amaral. At the end of the exercise that included races, jumping and gymnastics, a ball-and-ball practice was performed with goalkeepers Ernani, Gilmar, Carlos Alberto and Castilho, all of whom were shown to be well-developed and physically fit."
Folha de Poços, April 16, 1958.
The players Zózimo, Gilmar and Gino Orlando (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
Two training games or "collective" games were held in the city: the first on Friday, the 18th, under heavy rain, and the second, on Sunday, in the presence of almost 3,000 fans. The last one provided a record income at the time for the Caldense Stadium of Cr$ 235,000.
Players in the midst of fans (1958) by Antonio LucioThe Football Museum
Part of the training was also held in the courts and field of the Marist College of Poços de Caldas, to the joy of all the students present.
Among the boys present was Marcos Nastrini. He was one of the lucky ones who managed to follow the training of the Brazilian National Team and ...
Autógrafos Copa de 1958 (1958) by Acervo Marcos Tulio NastriniThe Football Museum
... collect in his school notebook the signature of most of the players and the technical commission of 1958. The sheet of paper, now a true historical collection of Brazilian football, was brought from the city of Governador Valadares (Minas Gerais) to the Football Museum in 2013 and shared with the public during the temporary exhibition "Paper Football".
If you missed the chance to check out this exhibition then, do not miss the opportunity to see your virtual version here at Google Arts & Culture.
Farewell to the ... title!
Weeks later part of the players and the Brazilian technical commission would embark for Sweden, after a brief passage through Araxá, and would return from there with the first and most important trophy of a soccer championship: the Jules Rimet Cup. More than this title, our football would be recognized worldwide and the small town of Poços de Caldas registered forever in the memory of national football.
GOVERNO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO
Governador | Márcio França
Secretário de Estado da Cultura | Romildo Campello
Secretária Adjunta de Estado da Cultura | Patrícia Penna
Chefe de Gabinete | Alessandro Soares
Coordenadora da Unidade de Preservação do Patrimônio Museológico | Regina Ponte
MUSEU DO FUTEBOL
Gestão IDBrasil Cultura, Educação e Esporte - organização social de cultura
Conselho de Administração
Presidente | Carlos Antonio Luque
Vice Presidente | Clara de Assunção Azevedo
Diretor Executivo | Eric Klug
Diretora Administrativa e Financeira | Vitória Boldrin
Diretora de Conteúdo | Daniela Alfonsi
Virtual exhibition "The Selection in Poços de Caldas"
Photo collection courtesy of Silvia Herrera.
Research and Texts | Aira Bonfim
Curator of images and subtitling | Ligia Dona e Julia Terin
Google edition | Aira Bonfim
Final Review and Editing| Camila Aderaldo e Daniela Alfonsi
Realization of the Football Museum / Center of Reference of Brazilian Soccer (CRFB)
Content Management - Daniela Alfonsi
Coordination – Camila Chagas Aderaldo
Researcher – Aira Bonfim
Research Assistant – Ligia Dona
Librarian – Ademir Takara
Documentation Assistants– Julia Terin e Dóris Régis
Trainees – Marcus Ecclissi e Everton Apolinário
Credits
Collection Silvia Herrera
Collection Marcos Nastrini
Research in periodicals: Folha de Poços and Diário de Poços de Caldas
