The 1970 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico was the first hosted in North America and the last major tournament for Pelé in the famous Canarinho kit. The football legend went out in style, leading Brazil to its third World Cup title all coming during his historic reign with Seleção that began in 1957. Presented here is a coveted 1970 Jules Rimet World Cup Champions player trophy awarded by FIFA to Brazilian defender José Guilherme Baldocchi, Pelé’s teammate known simply as “Baldocchi”.

Considered the greatest World Cup squad ever assembled, Brazil went a perfect 6-0 record in the tournament. They were victorious in every World Cup qualifier as well, a streak that lasted over two years. The Brazilian front five of Jairzinho, Pelé, Gérson, Tostão and Rivellino were all Number 10s for their club teams, and together they formed a relentless attack. In the World Cup Final against Italy, Brazil ran away with a 4-1 victory thanks to goals from Pelé, Gérson, Jairzinho and captain Carlos Alberto.

From 1930 to 1970, the Jules Rimet Trophy stood as the official World Cup trophy, honoring the former FIFA president from France who served the longest ever term (1921-54). French sculptor Abel Lafleur's original double-sided 1930 model featured a gold-plated Sterling silver statuette of Nike, Greek goddess of victory, holding a decagonal cup overhead and standing atop a Lapis Lazuli gemstone base. A taller base was installed for the 1958 World Cup to allow more winning nations to be engraved on metal plaques. Like the Stanley Cup, there was traditionally one official team trophy. After players on the champion side were given their own time to celebrate with it, the trophy was returned to FIFA's headquarters and held there until the next World Cup. After the 1970 World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) was allowed to keep the Jules Rimet team trophy permanently as a new version would be introduced for the next World Cup in 1974.

In addition to the 1970 team trophy, FIFA awarded individual versions of similar size to each of the 22 Brazil National Team players. Starting in 1974, FIFA switched to its current trophy design by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga (produced by Bertoni), making 1970 the last year of the revered Jules Rimet. Brass plaques engraved with previous World Cup winning nations – “Deutschland Der Meister 1954”, “Brasil Campeao 1958”, “Brasil Campeao 1962”, “England Champions 1966”, and “Brasil Campeao 1970” are applied to the sides of the blue octagonal base. The trophy stands 13-3/8” (34 cm) tall, 4.25" (11 cm) at its widest, and weighs 3.8 lbs. (1.72 kg). “FIFA” is engraved at the foot of the lovely Nike statuette, which remains in excellent overall condition save for a small chipped off piece at the very top. Green felt backing once lining the underside of the base has completely worn off. We are unsure of the statuette's internal composition, but it appears to be a high-quality material with gold plating based on the weight and density.

It should be noted that SCP Auctions sold a non-player version of this 1970 Jules Rimet trophy for $27,971 in 2019. According to a trusted source, CBF produced 12 non-player versions for the coaching staff and high-level executives in addition to the 22 player versions made by FIFA. The 1970 player version made for Pelé initially sold for £394,000 ($568,876) in the massive Pelé Collection auction in 2016, but the sale was rescinded soon after by the auctioneer and its whereabouts remains a mystery.

This player version awarded to Baldocchi comes with a letter of provenance signed by the Brazilian center-back.