An elderly Brazilian fan who was unable to attend his home country's World Cup final in 1950 has lost his tickets for this year's tournament climax in Rio de Janeiro only hours after being presented with them.
Joedir Belmont was had planned to attend A Selecao's fateful match with Uruguay at the Maracana 64 years ago, which ended in defeat for the host nation, but was absent due to a family illness.
The 85-year-old had preserved his ticket for the 1950 final before recently donating it to the FIFA museum. However, after being presented with the opportunity to witness the 2014 showpiece, Belmont admitted that he misplaced his tickets soon after receiving them.
He was quoted by AFP as saying: "I kept a ticket for 64 years; I lost the other inside six hours. If my tickets aren't handed in they have promised to re-issue them - they have my name on.
"My cousins, who are dead now, saw Brazil defeated [in 1950], but I'm very much hoping that I shall see the Selecao crowned champions."
The final takes place on July 13.
Chris O'Keefe
