Murtaz Khurtsilava told how he played against Pele: “I was not afraid”

When the sad news came from Brazil about the death of Pele, I immediately thought: which of the living people played against the King of Football for the USSR national team? Fortunately, there were not so few of them – 10 living legends, almost a whole team. The only participant in the 1958 World Cup match was the captain of that team, Nikita Simonyan. In two friendly matches in 1965 with Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Anzor Kavazashvili, Vladimir Ponomarev, Vasily Danilov, Georgy Sichinava, Vladimir Barkaya, Andrey Biba, Jozsef Sabo, Eduard Malofeev and Murtaz Khurtsilava converged. With the last of this list, I managed to talk.

I did not find any of them, as is clear from Pele himself, as active players. But even in his youth, he received a priceless book with autographs of great Soviet football players, which Alexander Ivanyushin, the keeper of the Luzhnikov traditions, had collected for many years. It was there that the stroke of the King of Football fit in, which he received with his own hand, being a 14-year-old boy, when Pele, Taison and Tumba-Johansson opened the first golf club in the Union on Mosfilmovskaya.

And in this priceless (alas, lost) folio, as I remember, only Khurtsilava’s signature was missing. Perhaps because of youthful nostalgia, but rather for purely professional reasons, I decided to call him. This is the rarest guest on the pages of publications. Meanwhile, it was Khurtsilava who was recognized by UEFA as the best Georgian football player of the 50th anniversary. Not by chance – a participant in two world championships (including fourth place in 1966), silver medalist of Euro-72, bronze medalist of the Olympic Games of the same year, captain of the USSR national team. And in the famous list of “33 best” appeared 10 times!

However, finding Murtaz Kalistratovich turned out to be a difficult task. Quite a non-public person, as it turned out. Helped wife Nana.

– And you know, Volodya Barkaya died today, – the long-awaited interlocutor immediately dumbfounded me. – After all, he also went against Pele, but not in Rio, like me, but before that in Moscow. Here is such a fate. I was also sick for a long time.

My condolences, and God bless you all. Today everyone remembers Pele. What was he like for you?

– Very cheerful, friendly – behind the field, somewhere at a banquet. But in the game – a fighter, with all his technique.

– You are 22, and you go to “Maracana” instead of Afonin with the score 1:2. How did you manage your nerves?

– Do not believe it, but calmly prepared for the exit. On the bench, it was even possible to joke. In a word, no jitters, although 130,000 were sitting in the stands. Well, to be honest, I was a little nervous.

– How many times did your counterparts meet with Pele during these minutes?

– Two or three, maybe. I had other tasks.

– Even by today’s standards, it’s quite unusual to release a defender at the close of a match when the score is 1:2. Why then was such a decision made?

– Morozov thought so, because I could bring something to the attacking actions. In the end, it did. On the 85th, Slava Metreveli equalized the score. The stadium was numb. And so it remained.

– Back then, substitutions weren’t in vogue at all.

– Yes, they were allowed only in friendly games. With a smile I will say that the substitutions played. Misha Meskhi also came out during the break. Only from the 69th year they were allowed to play in official matches. And before that, at least die, but play all 90 minutes.

– And where were you when Pele scored two goals in Luzhniki a few months before your visit to Rio?

– He was sitting on the podium. Everyone admired. But these are different things from the point of view of psychology. When you go out even against such people, you must discard all these admirations.

– Georgy Sechinava, who took care of Pele in that match, was going to throw the ball between his legs. And did it really work?

– If he says so, probably yes. For him, there were no authorities at all. He then laughed, but why run after him, he decided to play his game. Finished, if you know, 0:3. Pele scored two.

– At intervals of five months 0:3 against Brazil at home and 2:2 away. How so?

– Psychology, I think. And the composition became a little stronger. Alien stands sometimes inspire feats.

– That match against Brazil with Pele was special for you?

– The most. Although he spent a total of 73 matches for the national team, and not 69, as they say everywhere.

– Is there anyone comparable to Pele?

– No. Even Maradona and Messi are not on that level. And there are no such people like Garrincha today either. Streltsov, Ivanov, Voronin are stronger than the current ones. And this, believe me, is not nostalgia.

– Even adjusted for increased speeds?

– I am sure that Pele would fit into any rhythm. Moreover, I would define it.

– A few words about Georgian football today. You stood at the origins of the national team, helping Alexander Chivadze. Why is there no progress?

– It was the first approximation, so I will say. With all those talents, they could probably squeeze out more.

– Today?

– Everything is fine. A system has emerged that is beginning to bear fruit. And it’s not just Khvycha.

– By the way, about Kvaratskhelia. Does he have a limit?

– I don’t see it yet.