Don't blame Brazil goalkeeper, says Dida
WEGGIS, Switzerland, May 27: Brazil's World Cup goalkeeper Dida has preached forgiveness for Moacir Barbosa who was vilified after Brazil lost the 1950 final to Uruguay.
Barbosa was in goal when Brazil, hosting the 1950 World Cup and hot favourites to win, were beaten 2-1 in front of a shocked crowd of nearly 200,000 people at the Maracana stadium.
''Barbosa was crucified for that final and it's sad that we remember him just for that moment,'' Dida told reporters today.
''In fact, he made a lot of great saves and he did a lot to help the Brazilian team and he should also be remembered for that, not just for one game which marked his life for ever.'' Barbosa, who died in 2000 at the age of 79, said he had been condemned to a life sentence for Brazil's most bitter defeat.
''Brazilian law doesn't permit a sentence of more than 30 years, but I've been in prison for 50 years now,'' he said shortly before his death.
Brazil and Uruguay were drawing 1-1 when Barbosa misread Chico Ghiggia's intentions and the Uruguayan scored between the goalkeeper's leg and the near post 11 minutes from time.
Dida, a reserve at the last two World Cups, has been named as first choice for the tournament in Germany and is set to play his first game in a finals against Croatia on June 13.
''My dream has always been to play at the World Cup and now I'm close to fulfilling that,'' he said.
''But I don't just want to play at the World Cup, I want to win it as well.''
REUTERS