The former English landsholdsmålmand Gordon Banks, who died Tuesday at the age of 81 years, was one of the sport's greatest talents.
And so, he delivered perhaps the most legendary rescue in footballing history.
The typing of the brazilian garnered nearly Pelé in a posting on Facebook.
- He came out of the blue and did something I had not thought was possible, he writes on the Bank's rescue of its header at the WORLD cup in Mexico in 1970.
- I am glad that he saved my attempt - it started a friendship that I will always appreciate. Every time we met, it was as if we had never been apart from each other.
Gordon Banks was landsholdsmålmand for England from 1963 to 1972. Although he played a big role in England's victory at the WORLD cup in 1966, so was the sublime rescue in gruppekampen between England and Brazil in 1970, his most memorable achievement.
Sports and Games Historical hands: - He was a legend and my idol
Brazil won, however, the match 1-0 and went on to win the WORLD cup this year.
- Rest in peace, my friend. Yes, you were a magical goalie. But you were also so much more. You were a fine human being, writes the 78-year-old Pelé.
It is not only the brazilian, who has praised the former goalkeeper after his death.
Bobby Charlton, who was one of the driving forces of the English crew at the WORLD cup in 1966, says that he is "proud to call him teammate".
- We shared of course the big day in 1966 when England was world champions, ed.), but it was more than that, said the retired midfielder.
England's current coach, Gareth Southgate, call the Banks for "one of the biggest" in English football.
The German national team, who had to see themselves beaten by the Banks and the englishmen in the finals of the WORLD cup in 1966, writes in a posting on Twitter:
- A fierce opponent and a good man. Rest in peace, Gordon Banks.