Topic: A reminder of Greatness - Pele

[LFCDynamic]

You read a lot on these forums about who people think the best player in the world is now or the best player in the world of all time. But, one name I have never seen pop up is Pele. Before I started following football, some 10 years ago. Pele was one of the few football players in the world I recognized. He was the best, in the opinion of everybody who didn’t follow football. But, once you fall in love with a football club and you get engrossed in the world of football as it is today, you find yourself liking a player, deciding upon your favourite player and forming an opinion of who the best players in the world is, etc. etc. But, my point is, when people bring up names from the past like Matthaus and players like Messi from the present footballing world, whilst discussing who the best player is of all time, not once have I seen Pele brought up on these forums. Is it because you believe he is ‘over-rated’ or because his time wasn’t documented well or simply because you have subconsciously chosen not like him because only the ‘newbies’ rate him?

Another absolutely ridiculous criticism I have found over the internet regarding him is that defenders during his day were slow and lazy. You can only beat what’s in front of you and that’s exactly what Pele did. Having watched highlights of 10 or so matches of him playing, I can say that he is an absolute wizard on the ball and those who criticize him for not having pace, etc. he more than makes up with it for his brain. To say that he couldn’t beat a defender in today’s world is simply idiocy. The way he glides on the ball reminds me a bit of the way Suarez does although this point could be a slightly biased opinion :p Yes, Franz "The Kaiser" Beckenbauer, Burgnich (5 times European Champion, 2 times FIFA Wold Cup champion), goalkeepers like Gordon Banks, players like Stanley Matthews and Puskas and other were useless, isn't it?
While I haven’t seen him play, his career stats are immense. Just looking at the statistics proves beyond doubt that he is a true legend and ‘over-rated’ if used here, wouldn’t go one bit with the player that he was.

He managed to win 3 world cups with Brazil and 10 Brazilian Championships with Santos.

He started playing football (professionally) just at the age of 15 and went on to play for the Brazilian national side within two years of playing. He also went on to win the World Cup when he was just 17, becoming the youngest player (up to date even, if I’m not wrong) to win the world cup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPQ_lV3Qnsg (Performance in his first world cup)

After he was given the number 10 jersey by Brazil, the rest is history.

To people who claim they don’t like him because he’s arrogant. Everybody has their views. It’s just that he has some really strong views regarding some players that some people may not approve of. But, to label that as arrogance is hardly justified.

Scoring a total of a mind-boggling 1283 goals in 1360 odd games, he went on to dedicate his 1000th league for the poor children in Brazil, from where he arose himself.

Knighted by the British in 1997, he remains the 5th all time leading scorer in World Cup history for Brazil with 77 goals to his name in his international career. (It was the record of scoring most number of national by a player. The record has stood for over 40 years.)

‘WTF’ Trivia:

When he scored his 1000th goal on the 19th of November, 1969, it took over 30 minutes to resume the game because of fans storming into the field to celebrate the goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8BGZna_VaA (Pele’s 1000th goal).

In 1967, a 48 hour ceasefire was declared in war torn Nigeria so that both the Federal and Rebel troops could watch him play.

He once stated “A penalty is a cowardly means to score”

The Brazilian government declared Pele an official national treasure to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.

Though I haven’t seen him play, from what I read he was a midfield number 10 who had a tendency to get into goal scoring positions. That just makes all his goal scoring stats that much more astounding.

As he prepared to kick off in a game during Mexico '70, Pele gestured to the referee that he needed to tie his laces. The cameras panned in to reveal the forward's Puma boots. Puma experienced a huge sales boost after that.

Cristiano Ronaldo once said “Pele is the greatest footballer in football history and there shall only be one Pele.”

As a boy, Pele used to play with a sock stuffed with paper as he could not afford to buy a football.

All in all he has scored 92 hat-tricks and Brazil have never lost a match when he and Garrincha have played together, much like (Suarez and Sturridge)

Videos:
His dribbling skills
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=953rOfQ8Y0w

Documentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZc9q3tg5Ug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqAM4hKVtE4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jzlc4KVlw0

The point of this topic is not just to remind people of the greatness he achieved. But also the determination and passion that went with it. Just goes to show what a little bit of will and desire can add to your game. Hope you enjoyed the read.

YNWA!!

[JohnnoWhite]

I remember the great man playing the game and saw him live on TV in the 1958 Final in Sweden where he scored twice - and at 17 years old! Played without any fear at all - as though he was involved in a kickabout on the local park. He did things with the ball I'd never seen done before - and that left an indelible mark of the fella's talent.
Wonderful player and never saw him guilty of any cheating (no diving,no complaining and certainly no hands of God!) Well why would he need those when he already had God - in his feet!!

In fact the story I heard was that occasionally God used to ask if he could borrow Pele's boots . . . 

[LFCDynamic]

I remember the great man playing the game and saw him live on TV in the 1958 Final in Sweden where he scored twice - and at 17 years old! Played without any fear at all - as though he was involved in a kickabout on the local park. He did things with the ball I'd never seen done before - and that left an indelible mark of the fella's talent.
Wonderful player and never saw him guilty of any cheating (no diving,no complaining and certainly no hands of God!) Well why would he need those when he already had God - in his feet!!

In fact the story I heard was that occasionally God used to ask if he could borrow Pele's boots . . . 

You must be pretty old as opposed to me (No harm intended)

succinctly put

[LFCDynamic]

Good post and I do think Pele is undervalued on RAWK.

One thing, iirc, Pele and Garrincha played together 68 times and only lost the last match they played together, but by then Garrincha's body had completely disintegrated + Garrincha mind was completely shot from chronic alcohol abuse.

In many ways Garrincha was the more naturally talented of the two (in fact Garrinchas dribbles on tour in Mexico spawned the famous 'Ole!' chant) but Pele was the better, more consistent performer.

I think when Messis career is over he will be seen as Argentinas Pele to Maradonas Garrincha.
Garrincha and Maradona beloved by the people of Brazil and Argentina ('Alegria do povo'/ church of Maradona and all that) for their brilliant natural talent, character and entertainment value and Messi and Pele hailed almost universally for their performance/achievements

Thanks mate

It's funny how Maradona and Garrincha are so similar on paper. Yet, one got along with Pele and one drastically differed. Though Pele never publicly stated his opinions regarding Garrincha's personal life, the fact that they were able to put their differences behind them and play in the same team not only indicates Pele's professionalism but also the knack to put team before himself. Although Garrincha and Maradona are hardly role models for young aspiring footballers, they did have bucket loads of talent.

Having said that, I'd like to believe that Pele was equally talented a player who simply optimized his potential. Pele will always be my role model in terms of the mental characters that are needed to create a winner.

[richmond-red]

One of my biggest disappointments was not seeing much of Pele in the 1966 World Cup. I had a set of tickets for all the games at Goodison where Brazil were scheduled to play  their group games. Unfortunately Pele got the shit kicked out of him in the first game against Bulgaria, missed the second game against Hungary and was far from 100% fit in the final game against Portugal, where he received another kicking!
Luckily the 1970 World Cup gave me the chance to see him at his best, even if only on tv.

[LFCDynamic]

One of my biggest disappointments was not seeing much of Pele in the 1966 World Cup. I had a set of tickets for all the games at Goodison where Brazil were scheduled to play  their group games. Unfortunately Pele got the shit kicked out of him in the first game against Bulgaria, missed the second game against Hungary and was far from 100% fit in the final game against Portugal, where he received another kicking!
Luckily the 1970 World Cup gave me the chance to see him at his best, even if only on tv.

Lucky indeed. What a player.

[pooley]

Sounds like this guy wasn't too bad either.

Ferenc Puskás (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈfɛrɛnt͡s ˈpuʃkaːʃ]; born Ferenc Purczeld; 1 April 1927[3] – 17 November 2006) was a Hungarian footballer and manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary,[4] and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues.[4] He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954. He won three European Cups (1959, 1960, 1966), 10 national championships (5 Hungarian & 5 Spanish Primera División) and 8 top individual scoring honors.
Puskás started his career in Hungary playing for Kispest and Budapest Honvéd. He was top scorer in the Hungarian League on four occasions, and in 1948, he was the top goal scorer in Europe. During the 1950s, he was both a prominent member and captain of the Hungarian national team, known as the Mighty Magyars. In 1958, two years after the Hungarian Revolution, he emigrated to Spain where he played for Real Madrid.
While playing with Real Madrid, Puskás won four Pichichis and scored seven goals in two European Champions Cup finals. In 1995, he was recognized as the top scorer of the 20th century by the IFFHS.[5][6][7]

[Hazell]

Nice piece.

On the 1000 goals thing, aren't quite a few of those unofficial matches, friendlies, that sort of thing? I mean Josef Bican was a more prolific goalscorer really

[LFCDynamic]

Nice piece.

On the 1000 goals thing, aren't quite a few of those unofficial matches, friendlies, that sort of thing? I mean Josef Bican was a more prolific goalscorer really

Thank you

Yes, but you have to keep in mind that during those times there weren't nearly as many matches played as is today. So if the friendlies were excluded (which were not friendly by the way) then our perception of Pele is more than likely to be well off...

But, in any case he scored 640 odd goals in 650 odd games if you exclude the friendlies.

[LFCDynamic]

Sounds like this guy wasn't too bad either.

Ferenc Puskás (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈfɛrɛnt͡s ˈpuʃkaːʃ]; born Ferenc Purczeld; 1 April 1927[3] – 17 November 2006) was a Hungarian footballer and manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary,[4] and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues.[4] He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954. He won three European Cups (1959, 1960, 1966), 10 national championships (5 Hungarian & 5 Spanish Primera División) and 8 top individual scoring honors.
Puskás started his career in Hungary playing for Kispest and Budapest Honvéd. He was top scorer in the Hungarian League on four occasions, and in 1948, he was the top goal scorer in Europe. During the 1950s, he was both a prominent member and captain of the Hungarian national team, known as the Mighty Magyars. In 1958, two years after the Hungarian Revolution, he emigrated to Spain where he played for Real Madrid.
While playing with Real Madrid, Puskás won four Pichichis and scored seven goals in two European Champions Cup finals. In 1995, he was recognized as the top scorer of the 20th century by the IFFHS.[5][6][7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUXuBUvPlGk

No doubt Puskas was brilliant. Undoubtedly among the best. That is a much closer shout for best player of all time than some of the other names I've seen off late. But, I still think Pele's better

[Hazell]

Thank you

Yes, but you have to keep in mind that during those times there weren't nearly as many matches played as is today. So if the friendlies were excluded (which were not friendly by the way) then our perception of Pele is more than likely to be well off...

But, in any case he scored 640 odd goals in 650 odd games if you exclude the friendlies.

No that great then

But I think a lot of it comes down to who people have seen play and a lot of people haven't seen play whereas more people would have seen Maradona play and nowadays, everyone's seen Messi play. Not to mention that you can pretty much watch all the games that Messi's involved in if you're so inclined, something that obviously wasn't an option for those other players.

And also, like you say, everyone knows Pele but as you know more about football, you get to learn about other players and people are always going to have their own preferences.

And one more thing, Pele is a bit of a twat and not in the loveable way that Maradona is and did adverts for viagra and that's likely to have an influence as well.

Edit: 650 career games is a decent number, comparable to players today.

[JerseyKloppite]

I don't honestly think Pele is undervalued around here.

When people talk of the best players of all time, it tends to be "Maradona, Pele and X" (X nowadays being Messi. Or Bale )

[macca888]

I'll be honest, Pele was shite



<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/e4fzeK3SQa4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/e4fzeK3SQa4</a>

[goalrushatgoodison]

I do think Pele is undervalued on RAWK.

He would be gutted if he knew that!

[LFCDynamic]

I'll be honest, Pele was shite



<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/e4fzeK3SQa4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/e4fzeK3SQa4</a>

That wasn't funny the first time I saw it :

 

[Kovai Red]

Ah.. White Pele

[LFCDad]

I was 12 when I saw him on the TV, we finally had it in colour, magic, was delighted after hearing so much about him from the old man.

[LFCDynamic]

Ah.. White Pele

Rooney's a douche.

[Corkboy]

Rooney's a douche.

That would also be the opinion of Pele in the eyes of many Brazilians. They generally don't think much of how he has attached his name to just about anything that will sell.

[LFCDynamic]

That would also be the opinion of Pele in the eyes of many Brazilians. They generally don't think much of how he has attached his name to just about anything that will sell.

I guess it's just the way you look at it... Because the amount he's done in terms of charity and helping the poor kids in brazil speaks a lot for itself. But, everyone has their negatives and positives, it's just a matter of which outweighs the other and again that's just perspective...

[Albanian-red]

respect for Pele as a player...not so much as a person

[The 1989 Brit Awards]

Indeed, best player of all time. It's a UK thing, underrating Pele; they/you kinda have Maradona's ability in the goal of the century and his supposed "swagger" in his hand of god (which were both goals against them/you) engrained deeply in their/your minds.

He's a bit daft however with his whole "proclaiming a protegé" 'cause it will naturally put absurd amounts of pressure on them (Robinho, Neymar).

[idontknow]

And one more thing, Pele is a bit of a twat and not in the loveable way that Maradona is and did adverts for viagra and that's likely to have an influence as well.

Edit: 650 career games is a decent number, comparable to players today.

Because viagra is a performance enhancing drug and Pele did not tell anyone he was using it and he was taking it throughout the most successful period of his playing career.

Plus, when he rose for a ball in a World Cup match against what was then the best team in the world, beating the entire English defence, he attempted to put the ball in the net using a part of his body allowed according to football legislation, so giving Gordon Banks, who knew the rules, the chance to anticipate and to contrive, as a clever riposte, the greatest save known to man.

Years later, one on one with the legendary 'Shilts' Shilton, a keeper said to have a grasp on the game's history tighter, more rounded, and more textually exquisite even than that he had on his opponents' balls, a man said to have the strength of a ballet dancer, the finesse of a Ford Capri, and the table manners of a polar bear, a nervous, exalted Diego Maradona found himself up against Shilton, his own potential, and his own predestiny. Assessing instantly the likelihood of Shilton's memory of Banks' save, and sizing up his own diminutive stature in the face of this juggernaut of keeperdom bearing down on him, Maradona correctly decided that heading the ball low to the goal-line would undoubtedly be memorable for Shilton, but punching the ball over his head into the net probably would be also.

It must be said, in Maradona's defence, that while he did claim, after the match, although FIFA stats do not acknowledge this, even as an assist, that God actually scored the goal, he has never assented to the growing belief, first postulated in an Amazon book review of a Dan Brown hotchpotch, that at the final whistle he swapped shirts with Terry Fenwick, and told Fenwick, with a distinct London twang to his barrio English, 'You're the best, when can I join whoever you play for'.  However, Maradona has recently admitted that in fact at no point during the match was he marked by Bobby Moore, or indeed by any other England defender.

[LFCDynamic]

Indeed, best player of all time. It's a UK thing, underrating Pele; they/you kinda have Maradona's ability in the goal of the century and his supposed "swagger" in his hand of god (which were both goals against them/you) engrained deeply in their/your minds.

He's a bit daft however with his whole "proclaiming a protegé" 'cause it will naturally put absurd amounts of pressure on them (Robinho, Neymar).

Neymar is turning out to be a badass...

[oojason]

.
Seems like this could be a cracking watch...


'Pelé | Official Trailer | Netflix':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/KMyUnyxVB9Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/KMyUnyxVB9Q</a>


Out on 23rd February.



'Making a superhero: how Pelé became more myth than man' - www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/19/making-a-superhero-how-pele-became-more-myth-than-man

'Pelé': Film Review - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pele-film-review

[Armand9]

You read a lot on these forums about who people think the best player in the world is now or the best player in the world of all time. But, one name I have never seen pop up is Pele.

anytime the GOAT discussions come up (well, the ones i've responded to) i've always called Pele - for me the most complete player of all time

individual natural talent remains maradona for me but Pele ascends above all as the total player imo

(as an aside, when great players are spoken of, the name that is missing more often than not isn't pele, it's johan cruyff, the dude did ballet while kicking a ball around, it's pretty criminal that he appears forgotten in world's best - there ain't many above him)

[oojason]

.






A few videos of the man himself in action...




'How Good Was Pelé Actually?' - a 6 minute video from 2020:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/2UaGnGq_qVY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/2UaGnGq_qVY</a>




'Pelé ● The Most Complete Player':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/RsjDLkH87bg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/RsjDLkH87bg</a>




'Pelé - When Football Becomes Art':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Tr93j7Jxork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Tr93j7Jxork</a>




'Pelé - The King Of Football':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/dJ_K5r8CAlo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/dJ_K5r8CAlo</a>




'PELÉ | FIFA Classic Player':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/2-CS169akqU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/2-CS169akqU</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/2-CS169akqU




'Pele’s 80th Birthday Special':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/f6txhctSjaM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/f6txhctSjaM</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/f6txhctSjaM




'Escape To Victory':-

More info - www.imdb.com/title/tt0083284

Spoiler

https://putlocker.pe/watch-movie/watch-victory-online-12351.5357260 - always use and adblocker, such as 'uBlock Origin' for streaming sites such as these...

[close]

Some documentaries on Pele...




'Pelé | King Of Football | Full Documentary' (48 minutes):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/J2D_uVetdz4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/J2D_uVetdz4</a>




'Pele' (2021 Netflicks documentary):-

www.bilibili.com/video/BV11b4y1R7o9




'Pelé - Long Live The King' (24 minute documentary):-

https://sbchill.com/t34wt469fbym.html or https://footyarchive.com/shows/604714539




'Pelé - The King of Football' (24 minute documentary):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/lBb5b-mrh3c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/lBb5b-mrh3c</a>




'Pele - Footballs Greatest Series Documentary' (27 minutes):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/9W6Rh43e8GY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/9W6Rh43e8GY</a>




'Pele Forever' (2004; 2 hour documentary; in Portuguese - with some great footage):-

www.bilibili.com/video/BV1ME411N7h9




'The Golden Years of Pele (Giants of Brazil)' (39 minute documentary):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/NMgh9pcqI2U" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/NMgh9pcqI2U</a>




'Pelé in documentary by "La Gazzetta dello Sport" 46 minutes; English subtitles - Italian audio:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/k6B8AhDqGu4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/k6B8AhDqGu4</a>




'BBC Storyville 2002 - Gods Of Brazil Pele And Garrincha' (70 minute documentary):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Csij7c1s_jY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Csij7c1s_jY</a>




'Once In A Lifetime (The Extraordinary Story of The New York Cosmos)' (97 minutes; not specifically about Pele, but hedoes feature quite a bit):-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBR8jN_SyE0






Some more tribute / skills / goals videos...




'Pele: The Master & His Method, Soccer Training Program':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ZPVPrhADhzk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ZPVPrhADhzk</a>




'PELÉ, This is how the King of Soccer played 🤴🏿 🇧🇷 (1956-1977)':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/bGWo1KECm3E" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/bGWo1KECm3E</a>




'Pelé - Magic Skills':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/RwmrwHwxiKc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/RwmrwHwxiKc</a>




'Watch Pele doing everything your favorite player does (Ronaldo and Messi, Ronaldinho) … Best Of Pele' - 2 minute video:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/DnHqVfrJZg8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/DnHqVfrJZg8</a>

^ or click here to watch - https://twitter.com/Realaldo474/status/1608757207864324097




'Every trick in football Pelé did first. (Pelé magic skills)':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/FwIMKtKaWSA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/FwIMKtKaWSA</a>




'Pelé ● He did it 50 years ago':-

1 ● www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYokNMEgRvw
2 ● www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VbZmkfelfw




'Fouls vs Pelé':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/vpqYNLm0c90" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/vpqYNLm0c90</a>

^ and also this 1 minute video from FIFA highlighting some of the fouls on Pele at World Cups: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKtOWIOJIQs




'NA ÉPOCA DO PELÉ ERA MAIS FÁCIL' ('It was easier in the time of Pele?' No...):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/a_O6P5XYF3c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/a_O6P5XYF3c</a>

^ always worth remembering that red cards were introduced to the 1970 World Cup on the back of Pele being kicked & injured throughout the 1966 World Cup.


'Pelé - The most violently fouled player in football history':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/u8GdiMW4BL8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/u8GdiMW4BL8</a>




'Pelé ● Defender':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/MCrntk9V7hg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/MCrntk9V7hg</a>




'Pelé ● Passing Skills ● Playmaking ● Assists - VOLUME 1':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-kftR0a8AL0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/-kftR0a8AL0</a>




'Pelé | Legendary Dribbling Skills':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/uqLG9WPKvUE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/uqLG9WPKvUE</a>




'Pelé - Best Dribbling Skills, Passing & Goals - Part 1':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/zReaS2M6zho" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/zReaS2M6zho</a>




'Pelé *Best Dribbling Skills, Passing & Goals* Part 2':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/9y8OQ8_Uo1o" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/9y8OQ8_Uo1o</a>




'Pelé ● Assists ● Seleção Brasileira':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/8KP8KLEc_fo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/8KP8KLEc_fo</a>




'Pele - O Rei' (20 minute compilation set to music):-

Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdksOOWM9W4
Part 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGb8lKGA4Rk
Part 3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPskDqmu8CU




'Pelé ● 30 Teams in Which he Played':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/y8UdEYanMjQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/y8UdEYanMjQ</a>




'Pelé ● The King Of Football ● Best Skills & Goals':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/EFJ0-grXQ2I" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/EFJ0-grXQ2I</a>




'A video of Pele on the pitch show why many consider him to be the greatest ever' - a 2 minute video:-

https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1608764062099476480




'Pelé: The Man Who Changed Football Forever' - a 24 minute video, from HITC Sevens:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/OyHGuFUxVrA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/OyHGuFUxVrA</a>




'Pelé - The King | Tribute':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/KWnaALlLLMU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/KWnaALlLLMU</a>






'PELÉ • Best Goals, Skills & Goals | HD':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ioA0DwrriWM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ioA0DwrriWM</a>




'Pelé vs European Teams ● 208 Goals in 201 Matches':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/67iTuz_C9P0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/67iTuz_C9P0</a>




'Pelé ● Goals (1-373) ● Parte 1':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_uDhBQLBEXM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_uDhBQLBEXM</a>




'Pelé ● Goals (374-400) ● Parte 2':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_8bmjp6UAo0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_8bmjp6UAo0</a>




'320 goals of Rei Pelé ♕':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/CfMrusSAWJU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/CfMrusSAWJU</a>




'Pele’s Top 5 Goals | FIFA World Cup':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/bUTRZGCiiFs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/bUTRZGCiiFs</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/bUTRZGCiiFs




'Pelé ● 62 of his 95 goals for Brazil ● 1957—1971':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/1vwgnPGM0Uc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/1vwgnPGM0Uc</a>




'All 31 Goals ● Pelé ● New York Cosmos FC':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/e86n8WASSUs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/e86n8WASSUs</a>




'Pelé ● all goals at the World Cup':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/qFMTwXiTd6k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/qFMTwXiTd6k</a>




1958 World Cup Final - Highlights:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/3A3YbP9_Ty8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/3A3YbP9_Ty8</a>

^ or click here to watch the 2 minute FIFA video - www.youtube.com/v/JE2xPzeSiBc




1962 World Cup Final - Highlights:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/jem14KcwK14" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/jem14KcwK14</a>

^ or click here to watch the 2 minute FIFA video - www.youtube.com/v/FnV_ezpSMI0




1970 World Cup Final - Highlights:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/XUOIJ4aFj5g" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/XUOIJ4aFj5g</a>

^ or click here to watch the 20 minute FIFA video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZRdegSdrBI




The full match here:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/GomTORLZcWw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/GomTORLZcWw</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GomTORLZcWw : or here - www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/1PWVyYB9n0irNo8j8ndgTL




'Pelé (Brazil) ♕ All skills, goals, assists in World Cup 1970 ⚽️ ITV English Commentary':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/CfMrusSAWJU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/CfMrusSAWJU</a>




'Football's Greatest International Teams .. Brazil 1970':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/u4pGASQz74k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/u4pGASQz74k</a>




A massive collection of videos on Pele can be found here (including any newly found footage of Pele's goals, assists, skills, etc):-

www.youtube.com/c/Pel%C3%A9Forever/videos - the 'Pelé Edson Arantes do Nascimento' youtube channel.














Wikipedia page for Pele - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pel%C3%A9

Pelé at Britannica - www.britannica.com/biography/Pele-Brazilian-athlete

Pele - official instagram account - www.instagram.com/pele

Pele - official twitter account - https://twitter.com/Pele

'Pele stats: Goals, World Cup wins & all the Brazil legend's trophies' - www.goal.com/en-gb/news/pele-stats-goals-world-cup-wins-brazil-legends-other/1j7l9iu09le1v14q60ct2dpfnm

Pele player profile and info at Transfermakrt: www.transfermarkt.com/pele/profil/spieler/17121

Pele at FootballHistory.org - www.footballhistory.org/player/pele.html

'How the King of Football got his crown' (The Brazilian Report podcast) - https://brazilian.report/podcast/2020/06/23/special-how-pele-the-king-of-football-got-his-crown

Pele - Letter to My Younger Self - www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/pele-soccer-letter-to-my-younger-self

10,000+ images of Pele at Getty Images - www.gettyimages.in/photos/pele-football?phrase=pele%20football&sort=best



RAWK's 'Brazil 4-1 Italy 1970 - The best International side ever?' thread - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=237937.msg17602031#msg17602031

RAWK's 'Brazil - Are they all they're cracked up to be?' thread - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=117059.msg1899189

RAWK's 'Your favourite World Cup goal' thread - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=314103.msg12828067#msg12828067

FIFA's official youtube playlist for 'Brazil's Greatest 100 World Cup Goals' - www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCGIzmTE4d0gX9KR7I4-sr2O6PtwMi_vE (lots of Pele)

How good was he? Brilliant tweet/thread (had never seen most of this footage) Fuckin 'ell, he was better than I thought he was:-

https://twitter.com/avisualgame/status/1608551387176259585?s=20&t=hcqzgb-srUqcnCSDsgclgg

Pele at Anfield - back in 2015...







'It was my first time seeing a match at Anfield today.' - https://twitter.com/Pele/status/579758394497765376













'LFC make half-time presentation to @Pele at Anfield' - https://twitter.com/LFC/status/579688476733497344

https://web.archive.org/web/20150707081842/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/182177-photos-reds-make-pele-presentation






Pele and King Kenny back in 1983 - Pele giving Kenny the 'Footballer Of The Year' award...

[Andy @ Allerton!]

He was no Sean Dundee that's for sure.

[PeterTheRed ...]

I loved watching Pele, Cruyff, Beckenbauer and the likes as a kid. It was a different type of football back then ...

[oldman]

saw Pele play for Santos vs Stoke in 1969 at the victoria ground - I think Pele scored two,
also tried to chip Gordan Banks from the half way line but missed by inches .

all we talked about for weeks was how good the brazilians were
half the world cup winning team from 1970 played that night

santos won 3 - 2

 

[Drinks Sangria]

I watched the Pele Netflix documentary over the weekend. For a 'younger' poster such as myself, who grew up with late 90s early 00s football being my introduction to the game, I haven't perhaps always given the great man the respect his ability deserved.

I can see now why he has been labelled as the greatest.

What stood out to me, again upon narrow viewing - is that he was the archetype of the modern footballer and really the first to look like this and play the game the way he did. Pace, power, acceleration, close control, body swerves that defenders couldn't stay with and outrageous smashed goals. He really to me looked like a bloke from 30 years ahead of his time, plonked on a pitch with 21 others who couldn't even contemplate playing the same game he was. Comparatively, another great from the 50s, Nils Liedholm, was shown in several clips during the 58 World Cup Final. With all due respect to the guy, he very much looked a product of the era; slow, cumbersome, deliberate and telegraphed - yet defenders were lunging in super predictably and making it easy for him with a combination of erratic lunges and backing off way too much. But to compare him to Pele, it was truly like the two were playing a different sport.

Was Pele football's first athlete, in a way? It just gave me a lot more admiration for him. I don't know that he's the greatest (Maradona and Messi are the two rivals for me in this category) but he was definitely a forerunner, an iconoclast and the man that showed the way that all attacking players would have to play in the future in order to be termed greats of the game.

The shots of the team's plane going over Rio in 58 on the way to Stockholm was stunning footage - it's wild to think he joined Santos at 16 and was straight into the first team, in the Brazil squad within a year and winning the World Cup at 17. Also odd how Santos were effectively able to become a Globetrotters-esque exhibition side for the bulk of Pele's career. Obviously there were other factors that prevented it, but it's a shame he was never able to take that opportunity to play in Europe; both Juventus and Real Madrid wanted him. Maybe then he'd be given more time in a 'greatest' conversation.

[oojason]

'Why Pele will always be the king of Brazilian football':-

With so much international football coming up for the South American sides it is only a matter of time before the milestone is reached. Prepare yourselves – because it looks a sure bet that Neymar will reach and overtake Pele’s total of 77 official goals for Brazil.

https://sportindepth.com/index.php/2021/06/17/why-pele-will-always-be-the-king-of-brazilian-football

^ another quality piece by Tim Vickery.

[kaesarsosei]

What stood out to me, again upon narrow viewing - is that he was the archetype of the modern footballer and really the first to look like this and play the game the way he did. Pace, power, acceleration, close control, body swerves that defenders couldn't stay with and outrageous smashed goals. He really to me looked like a bloke from 30 years ahead of his time, plonked on a pitch with 21 others who couldn't even contemplate playing the same game he was.

Was Pele football's first athlete, in a way?

This to me is Pele's true legacy - he is for sure the first truly modern professional footballer and you could always see that physically he was miles ahead of his time.

The things that hurt his legacy are -

• he was born about 5-10 years too soon in terms of having more of his football televised or recorded (especially at club level)
• he only played domestically - which is not a complete criticism because Brazilian club football in his day was very compeitive with European leagues
• he has an image of constantly looking to hawk his own reputation and claiming goals in meaningless friendlies to bolste his total
• most people regard the Brazilian sides as being amazing 1-11 regardless of Pele (whereas Maradona has the image of carrying both his club and national teams).

In terms of all-time greats, I think Pele just about scrapes the top-10 in terms of ability but when you account for his undoubted influence on what footballers became, and his medal count, he's right up there near the top. I think the best modern comparison is Ronaldo - I don't think anyone in their right mind would say Ronaldo has more ability than Messi, but with his attitude and physical attributes he is neck-and-neck with Messi.

For me the following players at least all had more ability than Pele:
Maradona, Messi, Cruyff, Brazilian Ronaldo, Ronadinho, Best, Zidane. And if you bring in defenders (a difficult comparison) then add Benckenbaur and Baresi to that list too.

[scatman]

what the hell is ability? Because if you think there's 10 footballers with more ability than Pele, you'd better quantify that or put away the drugs. Maradona's image of carrying two teams is a myth as well.

[oojason]

'Pele 'moved to end-of-life care' as football icon stops responding to chemotherapy':-

Brazil legend Pele, the only player to have won the World Cup on three occasions, is receiving pain relief in an end-of-life ward, according to reports in his homeland

www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-pele-moved-palliative-care-28645663


& https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2022/12/pele-nao-responde-mais-a-quimioterapia-e-esta-em-cuidados-paliativos.shtml? ('right click' to translate article)

[Barneylfc∗]

That's grim news.

[Samie]

Oh man.

[G Richards]

Greatest player of all time. He had the lot.

Goals, skill, pace, strength, massive impact on the global game, long career, won loads of trophies, and since it is World Cup time I think he is the only one to win three World Cups and that could have been even more.

Death comes to us all, but my hope for Pele is that as it nears, he has his faculties about him and is able to keep watching and enjoying the World Cup.

[The North Bank]

Very sad news about the greatest footballer of all time.

[Sangria]

Greatest player of all time. He had the lot.

Goals, skill, pace, strength, massive impact on the global game, long career, won loads of trophies, and since it is World Cup time I think he is the only one to win three World Cups and that could have been even more.

Death comes to us all, but my hope for Pele is that as it nears, he has his faculties about him and is able to keep watching and enjoying the World Cup.

Quite the hard worker as well. Could have played as a CM in today's game. Not just the stereotypical prima donna no.10.

Technically, might well be the best controller of an aerial ball there has ever been. Excellent header of the ball. One of the most imaginative attackers ever. And of course, all the standard attacking stuff you'd expect of your bog standard GOAT forward. Probably the most all-round great forward ever.