Dida asks Brazil to forgive Barbosa, wants World Cup

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Dida asks Brazil to forgive Barbosa, wants World Cup

Weggis (Switzerland), May 29 (DPA) Brazilian goalkeeper Dida has asked his countrymen to finally forgive Barbosa, who is still blamed for Brazil's 1950 World Cup final defeat.

'This is the moment to break a taboo which has been around for 50 years,' the AC Milan player Dida said at Brazil's World Cup training camp.

Back in 1950, Brazil were top favourites to win the World Cup at home. But in the deciding match in the packed Maracana stadium of Rio de Janeiro, Uruguay stole the title with a 2-1 upset.

Football crazy Brazilians were in shock and the then goalkeeper Barbosa was blamed for the defeat, insulted and effectively declared persona non grata.

'The highest punishment for a crime is 30 years in Brazil but I am paying for it my entire life,' Barbosa said shortly before his death in 2000.

Barbosa was one of two black players on the 1950 team and Dida is now set to become Brazil's first black man between the posts since that tournament 56 years ago.

'He did a lot for the Brazilian team but then he was crucified after the match. That was terrible,' said Dida.

'The fact that he was the number one shows he did a lot for Brazilian football. It is important to point out the good things he did,' the goalkeeper said.

Barbosa was considered a classy goalkeeper ahead of the 1950 event and so is Dida, who will finally be a starter at Germany 2006 after having to settle for the reserve role behind Claudio Taffarel in 1998 and Marcos in 2002.

'It has always been my dream to win a title playing. This is the result of all my effort and dedication since coming to Europe,' he said.

Dida, 31, first came to Milan in 1999 from Cruzeiro, but ended up playing at Swiss side Lugano due to contractual problems. He was also loaned off back to Brazil at Corinthians before playing for good at Milan since 2002.

He gained hero status there when he saved three penalties in a shootout against Juventus in the 2003 European Champions League final, his biggest success on club level.

Dida has won 89 caps for Brazil since making his debut in 1995.

Like at club level, he had his ups and downs, but has been a regular starter since 2003 with the World Cup in June to be the highlight.

Brazil may be most famous for its 'magic quartet' of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Adriano up front, but Dida is determined to contribute his share that the top favourites really lift the trophy on July 9 in Berlin.

'I will try my best to help Brazil win the title,' said Dida.

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Dida asks Brazil to forgive Barbosa, wants World Cup