Aftermath
The post mortem of the defeat turned into a lot of soul searching for the Brazilian’s. Incident’s in the match such as Uruguay’s Obdulio hitting Bigode earlier on the match were debated as to whether Uruguay had gained the psychological edge over Brazil or even if their team had the physical fight against such roughhouse tactics.
A victory for Brazil was the only result expected. After all the mood had been one of national euphoria and pride in being a Brazilian at being crowned world champions as the rest of the globe would look on in awe. This was also meant to be symbolic of their identity and that Brazil was a leading nation that deserved to be treated with respect.
Instead the defeat installed an inferiority complex of humiliation and shame. The players were also held accountable with many not playing for Brazil again, but there were also racist views that the three black players Barbosa, Bigode, and Juvenal were symptomatic of the lack of national character due to the diversity in Brazilian society.
Brazilian’s also questioned the white kit that they had played the final in. Many felt that it was not a patriotic colour and as a result lacked any kind of national identity. Consequently the Brazilian FA gave the Rio newspaper Correio da Manha the job of launching a new football kit using all the colours of the Brazilian flag, green, blue, yellow, and white.
Aldyr Garcia Schlee decided to enter the competition and his design of a yellow shirt with green collar and cuffs, blue shorts with white vertical stripes, and white shorts was the winning entry. Ironically Aldyr Garcia Schlee supported Uruguay.
Brazil first took to the field with their new strip at the Maracana in 1954 beating Chile 1-0. Four years later they were to win their first world cup against Sweden 5-2 although this was to be in their away strip of blue shirts and white shorts. Nevertheless the yellow shirts and the flamboyant football played added to the vibrant, colourful image that many people have of Brazil.
Despite future success of winning four more world cups (1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), that defeat against Uruguay still lingers on such was the impact on national pride. However if they had won Brazil may never have decided to change the colours and it wouldn’t seem Brazil without those yellow shirts.
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