Pele recalls Gordon Banks’ historic save in emotional tribute to England goalkeeper

Pele recalls Gordon Banks’ historic save in emotional tribute to England goalkeeper
Brazil legend Pele has described Gordon Banks as a goalkeeper with magic after the England goalkeeper passed away aged 81.Banks, widely regarded as England’s greatest ever keeper, will be remembered for his unimaginable save from Pele’s header during the group stages of the 1970 World Cup.Defender Carlos Alberto had released Jairzinho to sprint down the right before rounding Terry Cooper and clipping a perfectly-weighted cross back through the England penalty area.3

Banks’ save in 1970 is one of the most famous in football

Pele rose majestically into the air and sent down a bullet header which kicked up off the hard Mexican turf and looked set to fly into the back of the net.Banks, though, somehow threw himself across to stick out his massive right hand and push the ball over the crossbar.“I scored so many goals in my life, but many people, when they meet me, always ask me about that save,” Pele said. “While it was indeed phenomenal, my memory of Gordon is not defined by that – it is defined by his friendship. He was a kind and warm man who gave so much to people.“So I am glad he saved my header – because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure. Whenever we met, it was always like we had never been apart.“I have great sadness in my heart today and I send condolences to the family he was so proud of.3

Pele spoke of his friendship with Banks

“Rest in peace, my friend. Yes, you were a goalkeeper with magic. But you were also so much more. You were a fine human being.”While Pele was shocked by the save, Banks knew exactly what he was doing.“When we had training sessions (in Mexico), I noticed that when the ball was dropping in front of me, it was kicking up, not staying low like it did in England,” he said in an interview on the Football Writers’ Association website in January 2018.3

Banks was 81-years-old when he passed away

“I stopped back to do some extra shooting training to help me get used to it, and that helped me make the save. Pele was around the penalty spot when the guy crossed it from the wing, and I knew he was going to get up to it, because he could jump really high.“I knew that I had to come off the line to narrow the angle, then once Pele had punched it with his head down to my right-hand side, I knew I had to get over there very quickly.“The ball was going in and as I dived I had to anticipate how high it was going to come up from the hard surface. As I reached across, I got it right, the ball hit the top of my hand and went off… but honestly, I thought it was a goal.“I hit the floor and turned around, I saw the ball bounce behind the goal – and I thought to myself, ‘Oh, Banksy, you lucky t***’.”

---

Since Unai Emery took charge of Arsenal the Spaniard has had a host of issues with playmakers Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. With performances and attitude on and off the pitch from these two players causing some concern, the Gunners board may be looking for a new attacking threat in the January transfer window, with Roma's Cengiz […]
Portugal defender Pepe rejoins Porto on two-year deal after

---

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is hoping his former club Liverpool can do him some favours in the transfer market this summer. The Glasgow side are looking to have a busy summer of recruitment as they aim to end Celtic's dominance next season and win the Scottish Premiership.
Steven Gerrard wants three Liverpool youngsters to boost

---

Loyalty is everything in football. Players become heroes if they snub the riches of bigger clubs to stay true to their current team. Kissing the badge is one of the ultimate displays of this, although it's not always wise with numerous players going on to swap clubs after doing just that.
How the Scottish Premiership table would look based on every

---

DIEGO MARADONA appeared to throw a punch after his Dorados side lost the Mexican second division play-off final. Maradona, 58, was walking through a crowd of reporters when he swung his arm before
Diego Maradona swings punches at reporters after Dorados

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 100 per cent record as Manchester United manager continued as the Red Devils won at Newcastle United 2-0.. Solskjaer has now won his first four games in charge of the club with second half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford to thank for giving him the points at St James' Park.
Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester United: Revitalised Red

---

Ahead of their game at the weekend, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is adamant Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be in charge of Manchester United next season. SUBSCRIBE
Jurgen Klopp thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be the next

---

Championship table predicted: How super computer thinks table will finish - Leeds opponent LEEDS are heading for a play-off semi-final with Derby if the predictions from stats experts Football Web
Championship table predicted: Supercomputer reveals FINAL

---

Gonçalo Manuel Ganchinho Guedes (European Portuguese: [ɡõˈsalu ˈɣɛðɨʃ]; born 29 November 1996) is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger, and occasionally as a second striker, for La Liga side Valencia and the Portugal national team. He began his career at Benfica, making his professional debut for the reserves in April 2014
Goncalo Guedes: Valencia and Portugal winger suffers minor

---

According to reports Arsenal are targeting a summer transfer for Gelson Martins. The forward is currently on loan at Monaco from Atletico Madrid but has caught the eye of Arsenal after making an amazing start to his time in France. A Portuguese outlet 'A Bola" claim is watching Martins again after failing to a bid to sign the 23-year old on
NewsNow: Arsenal News, Transfer News & Rumours

---

Tottenham provide Harry Kane injury update after limping off against Man City. Kane has already missed a month of the season with an ankle problem and picked up the injury against Man City
Pochettino fears for Harry Kane's fitness after Manchester

---

Harry Redknapp appears on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Birmingham City fans say the same thing. The former BCFC, Tottenham and West Ham boss is among the celebrities in the jungle for
Harry Redknapp has Frank Lampard as relative and is more

---