Print this article

Pele pays tribute to 'goalkeeper with magic' Banks

February 12, 2019 22:30 IST

Brazilian football legend Pele (right) and former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks embrace as they meet at a news conference in London on March 4, 2004

IMAGE: Brazilian football legend Pele (right) and former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks embrace as they meet at a news conference in London on March 4, 2004. Photograph: David Bebber/Reuters

Pele and Gordon Banks will forever be connected by the save of the century in Mexico in 1970, and the Brazilian legend explained exactly why on Tuesday as he paid tribute to a "fine human being" and "a goalkeeper with magic."

The death of the 81-year-old former England keeper was announced by his former club Stoke City on Tuesday.

Banks leapt across the goalmouth to turn Pele's header around the post in the first-round clash in Guadalajara in 1970. The miraculous stop was soon dubbed "the save of the century."

"For many people, their memory of Gordon Banks is defined by the save he made against me in 1970," Pele said in a Facebook post. "I understand why."

"The save was one of the best I have ever seen -- in real life and in all the thousands of games I have watched since."

Tributes are placed on a statue of Gordon Banks outside the bet365 Stadium, at Stoke-On-Trent on Tuesday

IMAGE: Tributes are placed on a statue of Gordon Banks outside the bet365 Stadium, at Stoke-On-Trent on Tuesday. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images via Reuters

"When you are a footballer, you know straight away how well you have hit the ball. I hit that header exactly as I had hoped. Exactly where I wanted it to go. And I was ready to celebrate."

"But then this man, Banks, appeared in my sight, like a kind of blue phantom, is how I described him. He came from nowhere and he did something I didn't feel was possible. He pushed my header, somehow, up and over. And I couldn't believe what I saw. Even now when I watch it l, I can't believe it. I can't believe how he moved so far, so fast."

"I scored so many goals in my life, but many people, when they meet me, always ask me about that save. While it was indeed phenomenal, my memory of Gordon is not defined by that -- it is defined by his friendship. He was a kind and warm man who gave so much to people," the 78-year-old Pele wrote.

"So I am glad he saved my header -- because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure. Whenever we met, it was always like we had never been apart."

"I have great sadness in my heart today and I send condolences to the family he was so proud of."

"Rest in peace, my friend. Yes, you were a goalkeeper with magic. But you were also so much more. You were a fine human being."

Source:

© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.