The announcement that Estadio Azteca Mexico City will be the setting for the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has stirred powerful emotions among football lovers everywhere, especially those who made history there.

One man who certainly fits that bill is the ‘Hurricane’ Jairzinho, who won the World Cup with Brazil there on 21 June 1970 and scored one of the Selecao goals in the 4-1 victory over Italy in the Final.

It was the perfect denouement for a forward used to getting the final touch for what is considered by many to be the greatest team of all time. Alongside Jairzinho in an irresistible attack were Pele, Tostao and Rivellino, with playmaker Gerson frequently supplying the ammunition.

During an unforgettable Mexican summer, Jairzinho scored in all six games of that World Cup-winning campaign, becoming the first and only player to achieve this feat. In total he found the net seven times.

Almost 54 years on, the star spoke with FIFA.com and recalled that glorious Final, which saw captain Carlos Alberto Torres lift the Jules Rimet trophy and Brazil become the first country to win three world titles.

Although you spent much of your career at the Maracana, another of world football’s most famous grounds, what was it like playing in front of crowds at the colossal Azteca in 1970?
Jairzinho: The Estadio Azteca in 1970 was the stage for my greatest moment by winning the most sought-after title for Brazil – that third world title.

What was it like to spend those magical weeks in Mexico and form a bond with its people?
They adopted us as their favourite other team. What was also wonderful was that, when we left our base and drove to the Azteca [for the Final], for the last kilometre of so, there were Mexican fans lining the sidewalks on both sides of the street to wish us luck. I’ve never seen so many people in my life. They stopped our bus and wished good luck to Brazil. At the time, Botafogo were the best-known Brazilian club in Mexico, having played there several times, especially at the Azteca, so that was partly why.

Do you often rewatch the 1970 Final or is the memory of those 90 minutes still vivid?
I could never forget Brazil’s victory and winning football’s top prize for a third time. My team-mates and I were able to give this title to Brazil, so that will always stay with me. What we did at the Estadio Azteca is never far from my mind.

How did you get the nickname ‘the World Cup Hurricane’?
Geraldo Jose de Almeida was a journalist and sports commentator who held athletes in high esteem and rarely had a bad word to say about anyone. I was fortunate that he gave me that the nickname Hurricane during his commentary, and it stuck. Once we’d become three-time world champions, I became known as the World Cup Hurricane.

You achieved the remarkable feat of scoring in every match at Mexico 1970. Of the seven goals you netted at that World Cup, do you have a favourite?
All of them were important in achieving our objective, which was to reach the Final and, if possible, win – which is what happened. I got two goals against Czechoslovakia and one in the final against Italy. As for the best goal… well against Italy, who gave us a very tough game, I scored our third goal, which was a rude awakening for them. So, I’d have to say that my most important goal was that one because of how it rocked them. At 2-1 it was still anyone’s game, and then I made it 3-1.