The revelations about the 1954 West Germany World Cup victory serve to emphasize that, contrary to popular myth, sport is not about “only winning”. It’s about winning gloriously. In the limit, it’s the glory that lasts. No-one outside of Germany today remembers the 54 team or any of its players. In contrast, the team they beat in the Final lives on in the collective memory and hearts of soccer fans and its leading players have joined the pantheon of the greats. The Magic Magyars, as the Hungarian national team were and are known, are remembered for their style as much as their overpowering record that preceded the World Cup. Falling at the last hurdle, after they had drubbed West Germany 8-3 earlier in the tournament, only adds to their mythic status. Puskas remains the highest goalscorer in the history of international soccer and was the owner of soccer’s most deadly left foot (at a time when balls were radically different from today’s light marvels of engineering). Hidgekuti invented the modern striker’s role and was a player of sublime skill. Koscis was both a silky playmaker and scoring machine and generally agreed to be among the finest headers of the ball to have graced the game. Boszik was a commanding and athletic keeper.

It’s hard not to feel some sympathy for the German soccer fan. The two drinks from the Rimet cup have each been a poisoned chalice. Perhaps more tragic than the 54 team was the 74 team. Despite having, in the majestic Beckenbauer and goalscorer supreme Muller, two of the all-time greats, this team is mainly remembered outside Germany as the team that beat Netherlands in the Final, led by the incomparable Cruyff, another team that is revered for its passion, innovation and style.

In comparison, the Brazilian championship teams all live, in various degrees, in the hearts of soccer afficianados. In my experience, even Italian fans, who generally have no equals in intensity or knowledge, remember with affection and even awe the 1970 Brazil team that beat a gallant Italian team in the final. If the other four championship teams shine with a lesser light that is only because that 1970 team remains the benchmark for all, even the Magic Magyars. When glory goes up against glory, winning glory does win by a nose.

It really doesn’t matter if the allegations about drug injections are true or false. History long ago made its verdict. Leave the players in peace.