Why Soccer Matters
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Indeed, the world is never too distant for me. I continue to travel, working for organizations like UNICEF and serving as a global ambassador for the sport. I look after my businesses as well, with the help of Legends 10, the agency that manages my brand and appearances worldwide and develops projects with me to leave a legacy for future generations. Thankfully, many people remain interested in me. I do everything I can to make them happy, especially the kids.
I have a few pet causes I try to look after as well. One of them is the welfare of my teammates from the Brazilian teams of the fifties and sixties. Many of them are in ill health now, broken down physically and struggling to get by financially. I think all of us were heartbroken by what happened to Garrincha, who was very sick and broke near the end of his life. Many of us offered to play in benefit games for him at the Maracanã, or just give him some money, but he always turned it down, saying he was fine. I think that for people who worked their whole lives, and were once on top of the world, it’s hard to accept help from friends. So we’ve worked hard to convince the government to provide something more formal: a little financial help to these older champions, in return for everything they did for Brazil.
I still see a lot of my old teammates from the Brazilian team, and the Santos club. Many of us—Pepe, Zito, Coutinho and I—have been going to the same barber in Santos every two weeks, like clockwork, for the last thirty years. We always have a good laugh. There are two or three restaurants in town where we’ll get together every once in a while for somebody’s birthday. It’s been great to maintain those old friendships. Meanwhile, some of the guys from the 1958 team have, inevitably, begun to pass away. Just last year, in 2013, we lost Djalma Santos, Nilton De Sordi, and Gylmar dos Santos—my beloved teammate whose shoulder I cried on in the wake of our victory against Sweden. Those guys were eighty-four, eighty-two and eighty-three, respectively—they lived good, long lives. Death is a part of life, something that happens to everybody. But I miss those guys nonetheless.
We’re trying to put together a Pelé Museum here in Santos. Lots of people have contributed, including the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who before he died at age 104 was kind enough to make a little sketch of an obelisk that we’ll put outside the museum.
My greatest joy comes from family, as it always has. All of my children have made me proud in their own unique way. Kely Cristina lives in New York, and is the mother of four kids. Edinho works as an official for the team at Santos. My daughter Jennifer has a philosophy degree, and does translations. Flavia is a physical therapist, and she helped me recover when I had hip surgery recently. Sandra was a city councilwoman in Santos before she tragically passed away from cancer, leaving behind two children who are now teenagers playing for a local soccer team just outside São Paulo. My two twins from my second marriage, Joshua and Celeste (named after my mother), are teenagers now. Celeste lives and studies with her mom in Florida, while Joshua plays for the Santos youth team. I’ve told him—just like I’ve told all my kids—not to worry about trying to follow in my footsteps as a soccer player, or trying to be famous. Every person on this earth, including each of my kids, has his or her own special talent, and place in the world. If that talent allows them to perform in front of the world, and make themselves and other people happy, then that’s great. But it doesn’t really matter, as long as they discover what their gift is, and they cultivate it.
After all, I’ve seen firsthand how fleeting fame can be. There’s another picture in my office: one of me, seventeen years old, shaking hands with a handsome man in a suit after we won the 1958 Cup. It’s hung next to other pictures of me with easily recognizable figures like popes, presidents, and others. Everybody who comes to visit me asks: “Who’s that man in the suit?” And it always makes me laugh. That was the king of Sweden, King Gustaf. At that moment, he was the ruler of the nation hosting the Cup, maybe at the center of the world. Barely half a century has passed, and most people don’t know who he is anymore. There’s a valuable lesson there.
When I look back, it’s not the fame or the money that matter most. What I know in my heart is that soccer was good to me, and great to the world. Soccer took a poor kid, gave him a purpose and showed him marvels all around the globe. It led to lifelong friendships, and it created great memories with my family. During my lifetime, I saw how soccer brought people together into communities, and made them more sensitive to the world around them. I saw, time and again, how the sport improved countless millions of lives, both on and off the field. For me, at least, that’s why soccer matters.
Acknowledgments
Pelé and Brian Winter would like to thank: Ray Garcia, Jen Schuster and the whole team at Celebra/Penguin for their vision, hard work and support; Paul Kemsley, Chris Flannery, Theresa Tran and everyone at Legends 10; Celso Grellet, José “Pepito” Fornos Rodrigues, Patrícia Franco, Jair Arantes do Nascimento, Andrew Downie, Michael Collett, Ezra Fitz, JérÔme Champagne, Erica Winter, Saul Hudson, Todd Benson, Kieran Murray, Moisés Naím, the Mitchell family, Kenneth Pope, and the Hendee family. In memory of Katherine Winter.
José Dias Herrera
During the early days of my career with Santos Football Club. / Durante los primeros días de mi carrera con el Santos Futebol Clube.
Popperfoto/Getty Images
Eyes on the ultimate prize: the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy, circa 1958. / Con los ojos en el premio más importante: el trofeo Jules Rimet de la Copa del Mundo, alrededor de 1958.
Keystone-France/Getty Images
I had the opportunity to meet King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden before the final match of the World Cup against Sweden in 1958. Brazil won 5 to 2. / Tuve la oportunidad de conocer al rey Gustavo VI Adolfo de Suecia antes del partido final de la Copa del Mundo en 1958. Brasil le ganó a Suecia 5 a 2.
José Dias Herrera
Playing soccer gave me the opportunity to see the world. / Jugar fútbol me dio la oportunidad de conocer el mundo.
Popperfoto/Getty Images
A beautiful moment. Celebrating Brazil’s World Cup victory over Italy in Mexico City, 1970. / Un momento hermoso. Celebrando la victoria de Brasil sobre Italia en la Copa Mundial en la Ciudad de México, 1970.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Meeting Robert Kennedy in 1965. I was proud to work with Eunice Kennedy Shriver on promoting the Special Olympics, which she founded. / Con Robert Kennedy en 1965. Me sentí orgulloso de trabajar con Eunice Kennedy Shriver, promocionando los Juegos Olímpicos especiales, que ella fundó.
AP Photo
While on an official visit of South America in 1968, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, greeted me after a local game in Rio de Janeiro. / Durante una visita oficial a Suramérica en 1968, la reina Isabel II y su esposo el príncipe Felipe me saludaron después de un partido en Río de Janeiro.
AP Photo
Visiting Paris in 1971, where I played an exhibition match with Santos FC to benefit cancer research. / Visitando París en 1971, donde jugué en un partido de exhibición con el Santos Futebol Clube en beneficio de la investigación del cáncer.
José Dias Herrera
Taking in the sights while in Europe. / De turismo en Europa.
AP Photo/Henry Burroughs
President Richard Nixon invited me to the White House in 1973. / El presidente Richard Nixon me invitó a la Casa Blanca en 1973.
Keystone-France/Getty Images
With President Gerald Ford, 1974. / Con el presidente Gerald Ford, 1974.
AP Photo/Ray Howard, File
When I came to America, I learned about this “other” game of football. I remember Joe Namath (of the Jets) asking if I ever thought of kicking field goals in the NFL. My answer to him: “I cannot score any goals with a helmet on!�
� / Cuando vine a Estados Unidos, me enteré de esta «otra» forma del fútbol. Recuerdo que Joe Namath (de los Jets) me preguntó si yo había considerado patear goles de campo en la NFL. Le respondí: «¡No puedo marcar un solo gol con un casco!».
AP Photo/Peter Bregg
With President Jimmy Carter, 1977. / Con el presidente Jimmy Carter, 1977.
The New York Cosmos
Playing for the New York Cosmos, 1977. / Jugando con el Cosmos de Nueva York, 1977.
George Tiedemann/Getty Images
Playing with the New York Cosmos gave me the opportunity to popularize the beautiful game in the U.S. / Jugar con el Cosmos de Nueva York me dio la oportunidad de popularizar el «juego bonito» en Estados Unidos.
AP Photo/Seth Rubenstein, File
My friend and confidant Julio Mazzei played a huge role in persuading me to come to the United States. / Mi amigo y confidente Julio Mazzei fue decisivo en persuadirme para ir a jugar en Estados Unidos.
AP Photo
My friend Muhammad Ali and me before the final game of my career at the Giants Stadium on October 1, 1977. I played one half for the New York Cosmos and the other half for Santos. Cosmos won 2-1. / Mi amigo Muhammad Alí y yo antes del último partido de mi carrera en el Giants Stadium el 1 de octubre de 1977. Jugué el primer tiempo con el Cosmos de Nueva York, y el segundo con el Santos. El Cosmos ganó 2-1.
Dirck Halstead/Getty Images
With President Ronald Reagan, I am showing ball control to a children’s soccer team at the White House in 1982. / Con el presidente Ronald Reagan, enseñando en la Casa Blanca a un equipo infantil de fútbol cómo controlar el balón, en 1982.
AP Photo/Ruth Fremson
During a 1997 trip to Rio de Janeiro, President Clinton visited the Mangueira School, which teaches impoverished children how to build strong bodies and minds. / Durante un viaje a Río de Janeiro en 1997 el presidente Clinton visitó la Escuela Mangueira, y enseñó a los niños pobres a desarrollar cuerpos y mentes fuertes.
AP Photo/Tara Farrell
With Vice President Al Gore in Los Angeles at the 1994 World Cup. / Con el vicepresidente Al Gore en Los Ángeles durante la Copa Mundial de 1994.
AP Photo/Roberto Stuckert, Brazil’s Presidency
With Brazil president Dilma Rousseff and FIFA president Sepp Blatter during the preliminary draw of the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, 2011. / Con la presidenta de Brasil Dilma Rousseff y el presidente de la FIFA «Sepp» Blatter durante el sorteo preliminar de la Copa Mundial de 2014 en Río de Janeiro, 2011.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Kicking around the ball with President Clinton in Rio de Janeiro. / Pateando el balón con el presidente Clinton en Río de Janeiro.
John Stillwell/AFP/Getty Images
With longtime friend Henry Kissinger during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. / Con mi gran amigo Henry Kissinger durante la ceremonia de clausura de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres en 2012.
The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images
Visiting Japan in 2011 and commemorating the lives lost in the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the country earlier that year. / Visitando Japón en 2011, en conmemoración de las vidas perdidas tras el devastador terremoto y tsunami que azotaron al país a comienzos de ese año.
At the 2013 New York Cosmos Legends Gala being honored by HELP USA. / En la Gala de Leyendas del Cosmos de Nueva York, siendo homenajeado por HELP USA.
D Dipasupil/Getty Images
AP Photo/Max Nash/PA
In 2012, outside 10 Downing Street in London with British Prime Minister David Cameron. / En 2012, afuera del 10 Downing Street —residencia oficial del primer ministro— en Londres, con el primer ministro británico David Cameron.
Joshua Ponte
Kicking the ball around with children during the 2012 African Cup of Nations in Gabon. / Pateando el balón con unos niños durante la Copa Africana de Naciones en Gabón, en 2012.