Blether: The myth about Brazil legend Pele’s World Cup final record

Continuing our look back at some of the old Sporting Queries, so popular in the Sporting Post.

In August, 1995, ‘FP, Dundee’ asked: Is Pele the only player to have played in the final of three World Cups?

SPQ answer – No. Pele can be considered part of three Brazilian World Cup-winning sides, but did not play in all three finals. He played and scored in two – 1958 in Sweden (v Sweden) and 1970 in Mexico (v Italy). However, after playing in the first two games in Chile in 1962, he was injured and took no further part in the tournament.

Brazil went on to win the trophy, beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final. No player has played in three finals.