How Corinthians icon Baltazar ‘baptised’ Brazil’s yellow after the 1950 trauma | OneFootball

As Brazil face Scotland at 19:00 Brasília in their yellow, it is worth recalling how Corinthians idol Baltazar helped usher in the Amarelinha after the pain of 1950.

On 28 February 1954 in Santiago, two goals from Baltazar helped cement the yellow as Brazil’s strip. According to Meu Timao, Zezé Moreira’s XI included Djalma Santos, Nílton Santos and Didi.

A 269-goal great for Corinthians, Baltazar won nine titles with the club and earned 31 official caps for Brazil, scoring 17. He played at two World Cups, matching Rivellino among Corinthians players.

After the Maracanazo, white was retired and the federation ran a 1953 contest with Correio da Manhã. The 18-year-old Aldyr Garcia Schlee won with a yellow shirt with green collar, blue shorts and white socks trimmed in green and yellow. He later said the bold colour jolted a sober era.

The new look started unevenly in 1954. Brazil, with Corinthians pair Cabeção and Baltazar, beat Mexico 5-0, scorers Baltazar, Didi, Julinho and Pinga twice, then drew 1-1 with Yugoslavia. The run ended 4-2 to Hungary in the Battle of Berne, played in heavy rain with three dismissals and a mass brawl, while Baltazar began on the bench after a training collision.

Aldyr feared the yellow might be scrapped, yet titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970, worn by Pelé, Garrincha and Rivellino, fixed its place. Brazil also won in 1994 and 2002 with Corinthians players involved. They lead Group C on four points and face Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium.

Source: Meu Timao