Signed World Cup football from 1974 in the Krupp Historical Exhibition
April 4th, 2022
Football World Cup 1974 in Germany, half the world is a guest: 25 emotionally charged days 48 years ago – days full of ups and downs. In the end, the Federal Republic of Germany rejoices and becomes World Champion for the second time. The Brazilian national football team, still world champions in 1970, suffers a number of defeats and finishes 4th in this championship.
With the stadiums of FC Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund and Fortuna Düsseldorf, three cities in the Ruhr region are also represented at the World Cup. The Brazilian national team plays two matches in Gelsenkirchen and Dortmund. Strictly guarded by the Essen police, the team around Zagallo, Rivelino, Peres, Cafu, Edu and Pélé, who will accompany the team and open the World Cup together with Uwe Seeler, is accommodated in the Essen Touring Hotel. The hotel, not far from Villa Hügel, belongs to Fried. Krupp AG, is leased to Hubert Imhoff KG in 1971 and finally demolished in 1986.
The time of the World Cup is unique and impressive. Countless mementos are created. Two of them are now part of the Krupp Historical Archive:
In 2020, the then hotel manager of the Touring Hotel left her private memory album of the time with the Brazilian football players to the archive. Photographs and newspaper clippings, autographs of the players show how the team was received in Essen and the excitement they caused among the citizens of Essen.
Two years later, while cleaning out the basement of a police station in Essen-Rellinghausen, a completely dusty little football turns up. The ball is carefully cleaned and reveals numerous signatures that can be attributed to the Brazilian squad. A sensational find that can be admired in the Krupp Historical Exhibition from Tuesday, 5 April 2022.
You can discover more information about the history of this special football and the souvenir album here. (German only)