The part-time Brazilian team that sold out the Santiago Bernabéu

Brazil’s triumph at the football World Cup in 1958 was immediately ranked among the country’s greatest achievements up to that point. Beyond elevating Brazil to the top table of international football, it provided a significant boost of self-esteem for the entire country. In the words of famous playwright Nelson Rodrigues, the World Cup win ended Brazil’s “stray dog complex,” serving as a much-needed pick-me-up after losing the tournament at home in 1950.

But very few people were able to watch the 1958 World Cup on television. Supporters listened to the matches on the radio, waiting days before being able to see grainy highlights on the news. In that respect, the world only started seeing the Brazilian national team in action as of the 1960s — which goes some way to explaining why the 1970 World Cup-winning team was so revered, as opposed to the champions in 1958 or 1962.

In the 1950s, the only way for audiences in Europe to see Brazilian players in action was to bring Brazilian club sides over the Atlantic Ocean to play exhibition matches. And not long after the 1958 World Cup, Spanish giants Real Madrid did just that, inviting the club it believed to be the champions of Brazil for a high-profile friendly at the Santiago Bernebéu stadium.

Selling out the Bernabéu

With flyers plastered on walls all over...