Real Betis pays tribute to Brazil '82 at Benito Villamarín and Mairena del Alcor

Real Betis has organised a commemorative event to remember the matches of the 1982 World Cup that Brazil played at Benito Villamarín, where they also trained in Mairena del Alcor. The event will include an exhibition and a legends match.

On Saturday, June 18, coinciding with the 44th anniversary of Brazil's first match in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the Benito Villamarín stadium will host a tribute to the historic canarinha team. Real Betis, which was the venue for two matches in that group stage, will gather former players and fans to recall the South American team's time in the province of Seville.

That Brazil, managed by Telê Santana and led by figures such as Zico, Sócrates, Falcão, and Éder, caused a sensation in Heliópolis. On June 18, 1982, they defeated Scotland 4-1 in a thrilling match; days later, on June 23, they thrashed New Zealand 4-0, showcasing an attacking style of football that captivated the world. Benito Villamarín thus became one of the epicentres of the tournament, with an atmosphere that the verdiblanco club wishes to remember.

During their stay in the area, the canarinha stayed at the Parador de Carmona and trained at the San Bartolomé stadium in Mairena del Alcor, which became forever linked to that legendary team. Thousands of fans flocked to the sessions, turning them into a media event. For Betis, hosting Brazil created a special bond that is now being revived with an exhibition of photographs and objects from that time.

The central event will be a friendly match between former Betis stars and ex-Brazilian internationals, to be held at the Benito Villamarín itself. Although the presence of Zico or Sócrates (who passed away in 2011) has not yet been confirmed, some survivors from that squad are expected to attend. The club has stated that entry will be free until capacity is reached, and a space will be set up for fans to share their memories.

The connection between Betis and Brazil is not limited to 1982. In recent years, several Brazilian players have played for the verdiblanco club, such as Denilson, Ricardo Oliveira, and currently Luiz Henrique. But that 1982 team left an indelible mark, as the Betis president recalls: “It was an honour to have been part of the 1982 World Cup and to have the best team in the world in our city. This tribute is a recognition of that shared history.”

The event will begin at 19:00 on Saturday, June 18, under the slogan “Brazil '82: the football that enchanted Heliópolis.” In addition to the match, a documentary featuring archival footage of those matches and training sessions in Mairena del Alcor will be screened. The club hopes it will be an unforgettable occasion for football fans, who will be able to relive the magic of one of the brightest teams in history.