The story of Brazil's 'sacred' yellow and green jersey

When Brazil play their first knockout game of this World Cup on Saturday, a football-crazy nation will be rooting for them. But many lovers of the game elsewhere will also be hoping to see the daring, imaginative play they have come to associate with the distinctive yellow shirt. It is an international symbol of joy. A football shirt that conjures up images of the game's greatest players, playing the beautiful game in the most beautiful of ways. It has become synonymous with the glamour, magic and fun of Brazilian football on the backs of players such as Pele, Jairzinho, Zico and Socrates, who took football to new heights during the second half of the 20th Century.

"For Brazilians, that yellow jersey is sacred," says Carlos Alberto, captain of the great 1970 World Cup-winning side. "When we wear it, of course we feel pride but it also brings responsibility, a responsibility to inspire and to excite." Alongside the pinstripes of baseball's New York Yankees, it has become the most iconic kit in sport. Yellow shirt with green trim. Blue shorts with white stripe. White socks. Distinct and dynamic colours that cannot be confused or mistaken for any other team. Walk down the street in Sao Paulo, San Diego or Slough, Fortaleza, Frankfurt or Fort William and before long, you are likely to encounter someone wearing a Brazil football shirt, most probably carrying the number 10 on the back.

But it's unlikely that many know how Brazil came to wear yellow, or that there was ever a time when they didn't. As with so much in Brazilian football, the story dates back to a stunning 2-1 defeat by Uruguay on home soil in the final match of the 1950 World Cup. This proved to be a watershed moment, a reference point for the country's footballing aspirations. The recriminations were fierce and far-reaching, and the team colours were not immune.