He saw his father cry over the ‘Maracanazo’ and swore that he would make Brazil champion: he did it three times, a record that still stands
Author of 757 goals and more than a thousand ‘unofficial’ goals, 12 signed in world championships and even two that he did not score became legendary
Talking about Pelé is talking about football in its purest essence, about ‘beautiful game’, about talent and goals. Of many goals. 757 according to official figures and 1,301 those that were compiled by the statesmen. But above all, talking about Edson Arantes do Nascimento, from ‘O Rei Pelé’, is talking about World Cups.
He was only nine years old when an entire country mourned a lost final, that of the ‘Maracanazo’ in Uruguay in 1950. His father’s displeasure was such that the young Edson promised himself that he would finally lead Brazil to be, world champion. And faith that he got it.
The ‘verdeamarelha’ is the most successful team today, with five World Cups, but without Pelé none of this would have happened. A legendary footballer who he was the architect of the first three World Championships for a country that lives by and for football.
And the first, with only 17 years of age. In fact, he was very close to missing out on Sweden 1958 due to a knee injury in a previous, and controversial, friendly against Corinthians. The premiere was lost and it had to be the most veteran ones who claimed his presence. His irruption was meteoric, together with Didí and Garrincha in an unforgettable attack. Winning goal for Wales in the quarterfinals, hat-trick in ‘semis’ for Fontaine’s France and the grand final against the host that brought one of the great moments in history: the ‘hat’ for Gustavsson and the goal without leaving drop the ball He also scored the final 5-2.
Pelé only played the first two games in Chile 1962, as he was injured, but the ‘canarinha’ prevailed due to the inertia that the ‘Black Pearl’ had given him, so decisive that in England 1966 he was the subject of a ‘hunt’. First, from the Bulgarian Zhechev, even the coach Feola decided to preserve it against Hungary… and the Brazilians lost. And in the premature goodbye, a double kick from the Portuguese Morais, although he continued, limping, on the green.
He made up for himself in Mexico 1970. It was his coronation. He led Brazil to the title and scored four goals, but two that fell short of the net went down in legend: England’s Gordon Banks’ ‘save of the century’ and the 60-metre attempt against Czechoslovakia. That’s how big Pelé was.