Editing Pelé (section)

== Club career ==

=== Santos ===
{{Main|Os Santásticos}}

==== 1956–1962: early years with Santos and declared a national treasure ====

[[File:Pele photo 1962.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|Pelé in 1962, by then rated the best player in the world{{sfn|Freedman|2014|p=47}}]]
In 1956, de Brito took Pelé to [[Santos (São Paulo)|Santos]], an industrial and port city located near São Paulo, to try out for professional club [[Santos FC]], telling the club's directors that the 15-year-old would be "the greatest football player in the world".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Massarela |first=Louis |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/exclusive-interview-pele-his-santos-years |title=Exclusive interview: Pele on his Santos years |date=7 September 2016 |website=FourFourTwo |access-date=28 July 2017 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622055212/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/exclusive-interview-pele-his-santos-years |url-status=live }}</ref> Pelé impressed Santos coach [[Luis Alonso Perez|Lula]] during his trial at the [[Estádio Vila Belmiro]], and he signed a professional contract with the club in June 1956.{{sfn|Marcus|1976|p=20}} Pelé was highly promoted in the local media as a future superstar. He made his senior team debut on 7 September 1956 at the age of 15 against [[Corinthians de Santo André]] and had an impressive performance in a 7–1 victory, scoring the first goal in his prolific career during the match.<ref name="dayinhistory"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Da Mata|first1=Alessandro|title=Mesário da estréia de Pelé lembra atrapalhada|url=http://www.lancenet.com.br/noticias/07-10-29/183561.stm|publisher=LANCE!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514032427/http://www.lancenet.com.br/noticias/07-10-29/183561.stm|location=Sâo Paulo|archive-date=14 May 2008|language=pt|date=26 October 2007}}</ref>

When the 1957 season started, Pelé was given a starting place in the first team and, at the age of 16, became the top scorer in the league. Ten months after signing professionally, the teenager was called up to the [[Brazil national football team|Brazil national team]]. After the [[1958 FIFA World Cup|1958]] and the [[1962 FIFA World Cup|1962 World Cup]], wealthy European clubs, such as [[Real Madrid]], [[Juventus]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], tried to sign him in vain.<ref>{{Cite web|language=it|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Juventus/18-08-2018/pele-rivelazione-ero-alla-juve-fa-auguri-cr7-290268124077.shtml|title=Pelé, auguri a Ronaldo. E rivela: "Sono stato vicino alla Juve"|date=18 August 2018|website=La Gazzetta dello Sport|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108080910/https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Juventus/18-08-2018/pele-rivelazione-ero-alla-juve-fa-auguri-cr7-290268124077.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1958, [[Inter Milan]] even managed to get him a regular contract, but [[Angelo Moratti]] was forced to tear the contract up at the request of Santos's chairman following a revolt by Santos's Brazilian fans.<ref>{{cite news |language=it |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Inter/26-05-2016/moratti-pele-era-inter-ma-presidente-santos-cambio-idea-150846346845.shtml?refresh_ce-cp |title=Moratti: "Pelé era dell'Inter, ma il presidente del Santos cambiò idea..." |trans-title=Moratti: "Pelé was Inter's, but the president of Santos changed his mind ..." |last=Cecere |first=Nicola |date=26 May 2016 |newspaper=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] |access-date=30 August 2018 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108082246/https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Inter/26-05-2016/moratti-pele-era-inter-ma-presidente-santos-cambio-idea-150846346845.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Valencia CF]] also arranged an agreement that would have brought Pelé to the club after the 1958 World Cup, however after his performances at the tournament, Santos declined to let the player leave.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chilet |first=Vicent |date=23 December 2019 |title=Cuando el Valencia pudo haber fichado a Pelé |url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/deportes/20191223/cuando-valencia-pudo-haber-fichado-pele-viaje-cubells-brasil-7785396 |access-date=24 December 2022 |website=elperiodico |language=es |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224174940/https://www.elperiodico.com/es/deportes/20191223/cuando-valencia-pudo-haber-fichado-pele-viaje-cubells-brasil-7785396 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2019 |title=El Valencia llegó a tener un acuerdo para fichar a Pelé |url=https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/futbol/20190318/valencia-llego-tener-acuerdo-fichar-pele/384212116_0.html |access-date=24 December 2022 |website=El Español |language=es |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224164727/https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/futbol/20190318/valencia-llego-tener-acuerdo-fichar-pele/384212116_0.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1961 the [[government of Brazil]] under President [[Jânio Quadros]] declared Pelé an "official national treasure" to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.<ref name="pelebio"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chelala|first1=Cesar|title=Pele, Maradona and Messi: soccer's holy trinity|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/04/11/commentary/world-commentary/pele-maradona-and-messi-soccers-holy-trinity/|work=[[The Japan Times]]|year=2014|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929072756/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/04/11/commentary/world-commentary/pele-maradona-and-messi-soccers-holy-trinity/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pelé won his first major title with Santos in 1958 as the team won the [[Campeonato Paulista]]; he would finish the tournament as the top scorer, with 58 goals,<ref>{{cite news|title=Campeonato Paulista: Artilheiros da história – 2|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/especial/2008/campeonatopaulista/artilheiros_da_historia-2.shtml|work=Brasil em Folhas|date=17 January 2008|language=pt|access-date=18 August 2010|archive-date=1 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501110603/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/especial/2008/campeonatopaulista/artilheiros_da_historia-2.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> a record that still stands today. A year later, he would help the team earn their first victory in the [[Torneio Rio-São Paulo]] with a 3–0 over Vasco da Gama.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Unzelte|first1=Celso|last2=Varanda|first2=Pedro|last3=Cammarota|first3=Giuseppe|last4=Barreto Berwanger|first4=Alexandre Magno|title=Fichas Técnicas De Jogos Que Decidiram O Torneio Rio-Sâo Paulo|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/matdecrjsp.htm|publisher=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]|language=pt|year=2011|access-date=18 August 2010|archive-date=23 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423195647/http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/matdecrjsp.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Santos was unable to retain the Paulista title. In 1960, Pelé scored 33 goals to help his team regain the Campeonato Paulista trophy but lost out on the Rio-São Paulo tournament after finishing in 8th place.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Matta |first1=Fernando |last2=Varanda |first2=Pedro |last3=Barreto Berwanger|first3=Alexandre Magno|last4=Unzelte|first4=Celso|last5=Leme de Arruda|first5=Marcelo|title=Torneio Rio-São Paulo 1960 |url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/tablesrz/rjsp1960.htm|publisher=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216095534/http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/tablesrz/rjsp1960.htm|archive-date=16 December 2009|language=pt|year=2009}}</ref> In the 1960 season, Pelé scored 47 goals and helped Santos regain the Campeonato Paulista. The club went on to win the [[Taça Brasil]] that same year, beating [[Esporte Clube Bahia|Bahia]] in the finals; Pelé finished as the top scorer of the tournament with nine goals. The victory allowed Santos to participate in the [[Copa Libertadores]], the most prestigious club tournament in the Western hemisphere.<ref>{{cite news|title=Santos revive spirit of Pele|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2769331.stm|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=5 May 2011|date=16 February 2003|archive-date=12 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112150822/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2769331.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1962–1965: Copa Libertadores success ====
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="I arrived hoping to stop a great man, but I went away convinced I had been undone by someone who was not born on the same planet as the rest of us."|source=—Benfica goalkeeper [[Costa Pereira]] following the loss to Santos in 1962.<ref name="FIFA quotes">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190627023833/https://www.fifa.com/news/what-they-said-about-pele-1321917 "What they said about Pele"]. FIFA. 16 Jul 2019.</ref>}}
Santos's most successful Copa Libertadores season started in [[1962 Copa Libertadores|1962]];{{sfn|Dunmore|2015|p=290}} the team was seeded in Group One alongside [[Cerro Porteño]] and Deportivo Municipal Bolivia, winning every match of their group but one (a 1–1 away tie versus Cerro). Santos defeated Universidad Católica in the semi-finals and met [[1961 Copa Libertadores|defending champions]] [[C.A. Peñarol|Peñarol]] in the finals. Pelé scored twice in the playoff match to secure the first title for a Brazilian club.<ref name="copa62">{{cite web|last1=Pierrend|first1=José Luis|last2=Beuker|first2=John|last3=Ciullini|first3=Pablo|last4=Gorgazzi|first4=Osvaldo|url=https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copa62.html|title=Copa Libertadores de América 1962|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=29 January 2016|archive-date=27 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027180000/https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copa62.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Pelé finished as the second top scorer of the competition with four goals. That same year, Santos would successfully defend the Campeonato Paulista (with 37 goals from Pelé) and the Taça Brasil (Pelé scoring four goals in the final series against Botafogo). Santos would also win the [[1962 Intercontinental Cup]] against [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]].<ref name="Intercontinental">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120506041330/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/matchreport/newsid%3D512321.html "Intercontinental Cups 1962 and 1963"]. FIFA. 15 January 2015</ref> Wearing his [[Squad number (association football)|number 10 shirt]], Pelé produced one of the best performances of his career, scoring a [[hat-trick]] in Lisbon as Santos won 5–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1782903.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114145154/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1782903.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 November 2012|title=Extraordinary Pele crowns Santos in Lisbon|publisher=FIFA|date=11 October 2012|access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Vickery|first1=Tim|title=Will South Africa 2010 produce a new Pele?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2009/11/pele.html|access-date=5 May 2011|work=BBC Sport|date=23 December 2009|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108113259/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2009/11/pele.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Pele Netherlands 1962 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Pelé with Santos in the Netherlands, October 1962]]
Pelé states that his most memorable goal was scored at the [[Estádio Rua Javari]] on a Campeonato Paulista match against São Paulo rival [[Clube Atlético Juventus]] on 2 August 1959. As there is no video footage of this match, Pelé asked that a computer animation be made of this specific goal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pele receives tribute for 1959 goal|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060831/sport/pele-receives-tribute-for-1959-goal.42828|access-date=16 July 2017|work=The Times|location=Malta|date=31 August 2006|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108080910/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/the-dghajsa-under-threat.4282|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 1961, Pelé scored the ''gol de placa'' (goal worthy of a plaque), against [[Fluminense Football Club|Fluminense]] at the Maracanã.<ref name="placa"/> Pelé received the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, and ran the length of the field, eluding opposition players with [[Dummy (football)#Association football|feints]], before striking the ball beyond the goalkeeper.<ref name="placa">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2011/m=3/news=remembering-pele-gol-placa-1392726.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913225947/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2011/m=3/news=remembering-pele-gol-placa-1392726.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2015|title=Remembering Pele's gol de placa|publisher=FIFA|access-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> A plaque was commissioned with a dedication to "the most beautiful goal in the history of the Maracanã".{{sfn|Bellos|2003|p=244}}

[[File:PELÉ - 1963 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Pelé before facing [[Boca Juniors]] in the second leg of the [[1963 Copa Libertadores Finals]] at [[La Bombonera]]]]

As the defending champions, Santos qualified automatically to the semi-final stage of the [[1963 Copa Libertadores]]. The ''balé branco'' (white ballet), the nickname given to Santos at the time, managed to retain the title after victories over [[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]] and [[Boca Juniors]]. Pelé helped Santos overcome a Botafogo team that featured Brazilian greats such as [[Garrincha]] and [[Jairzinho]] with a last-minute goal in the first leg of the semi-finals which made it 1–1. In the second leg, Pelé scored a hat-trick in the [[Estádio do Maracanã]] as Santos won, 0–4, in the second leg. Santos started the final series by winning, 3–2, in the first leg and defeating Boca Juniors 1–2, in [[Estadio Alberto J. Armando|La Bombonera]]. It was a rare feat in official competitions, with another goal from Pelé.<ref name="1963 Copa">{{cite web|title=1963: With an amazing Pele, Brazil's Santos wins their second Copa Libertadores Tournament|url=http://www.conmebol.com/en/09102015-1742/1963-amazing-pele-brazils-santos-wins-their-second-copa-libertadores-tournament|publisher=CONMEBOL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106171452/http://www.conmebol.com/en/09102015-1742/1963-amazing-pele-brazils-santos-wins-their-second-copa-libertadores-tournament|archive-date=6 November 2018|access-date=17 January 2019|date=12 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Santos became the first Brazilian team to lift the Copa Libertadores in Argentine soil. Pelé finished the tournament with five goals. Santos lost the Campeonato Paulista after finishing in third place but went on to win the Rio-São Paulo tournament after a 0–3 win over [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]] in the final, with Pelé scoring one goal. Pelé would also help Santos retain the Intercontinental Cup and the Taça Brasil against [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] and Bahia respectively.<ref name="Intercontinental" />

In the [[1964 Copa Libertadores]], Santos was beaten in both legs of the semi-finals by [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]]. The club won the Campeonato Paulista, with Pelé netting 34 goals. Santos also shared the Rio-São Paulo title with Botafogo and won the Taça Brasil for the fourth consecutive year. In the [[1965 Copa Libertadores]], Santos reached the semi-finals and met Peñarol in a rematch of the 1962 final. After two matches, a playoff was needed to break the tie.<ref name="Red21">{{cite web|last1=Bassorelli|first1=Gerardo|title=En los años sesenta, Peñarol y Santos protagonizaron inolvidables batallas por la Libertadores, generando una rivalidad que transformó a este duelo en el primer clásico que tuvo la Copa.|url=https://www.lr21.com/deportes/457144-en-los-anos-sesenta-penarol-y-santos-protagonizaron-inolvidables-batallas-por-la-libertadores-generando-una-rivalidad-que-transformo-a-este-duelo-en-el-primer-clasico-que-tuvo-la-copa|publisher=LaRed21|access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108080905/https://www.lr21.com/deportes/457144-en-los-anos-sesenta-penarol-y-santos-protagonizaron-inolvidables-batallas-por-la-libertadores-generando-una-rivalidad-que-transformo-a-este-duelo-en-el-primer-clasico-que-tuvo-la-copa|url-status=dead}}</ref> Unlike 1962, Peñarol came out on top and eliminated Santos 2–1.<ref name="Red21"/> Pelé would, however, finish as the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andrés|first1=Juan Pablo |last2=Ballesteros |first2=Frank |last3=Di Maggio|first3=Robert|title=Copa Libertadores – Topscorers|url=https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copalibtops.html|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031101245/http://www.rsssf.com/sacups/copalibtops.html|archive-date=31 October 2015}}</ref>

==== 1965–1974: ''O Milésimo'' and final years with Santos ====
[[File:Pelé Mar del Plata 1965.PNG|thumb|upright|Pelé with Santos in 1965]]
In December 1965, Santos won the [[1965 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Taça Brasil]], their fifth straight Brazilian league title, with Pelé scoring the last goal in the final series.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Trusdell |first1=Brian |title=Pelé : Soccer Star & Ambassador |date=2014 |publisher=ABDO |page=39}}</ref> In 1966, Santos failed to retain the Taça Brasil as Pelé's goals were not enough to prevent a 9–4 defeat by [[Cruzeiro Esporte Clube|Cruzeiro]] (led by [[Tostão]]) in the final series. The club did, however, win the Campeonato Paulista in 1967, 1968, and 1969. On 19 November 1969, Pelé scored his 1,000th goal in all competitions, in what was a highly anticipated moment in Brazil. The goal dubbed ''O Milésimo'' (The Thousandth), occurred in a match against Vasco da Gama, when Pelé scored from a penalty kick, at the Maracanã Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/why-pele-milesimo-1000th-goal-still-matters-50-years-on/article64890042.ece|title=Why Pele's 1000th goal still matters, 50 years on|access-date=29 December 2022|date=19 November 2019|website=[[Sportstar]]|archive-date=29 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229191651/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/why-pele-milesimo-1000th-goal-still-matters-50-years-on/article64890042.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

Various sources have said that the two factions involved in the [[Nigerian Civil War]] agreed to a 48-hour [[ceasefire]] in 1969 so they could watch Pelé play an [[exhibition game]] in [[Lagos]]. An early source for this story was [[Ebony (magazine)|''Ebony'' magazine]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |title=Can Pelé bring the big payday to U.S. soccer?|work=Ebony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iVx7JXZQWgEC&dq=pele+biafra&pg=PA136 |access-date=12 May 2024 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |date=September 1975 |page=137}}</ref> Santos ended up playing to a 2–2 draw with Lagos side Stationary Stores FC and Pelé scored his team's goals. The civil war went on for one more year after this game.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1633945-pel-recalling-the-moments-that-defined-his-career|title =Pele: Recalling the Moments That Defined His Career|website =[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date =15 August 2020|archive-date =26 September 2021|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20210926162727/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1633945-pel-recalling-the-moments-that-defined-his-career|url-status =live}}</ref> In his autobiography, Pelé was unsure that there was a ceasefire, but said that there was an increased security presence at the game.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pele: The Autobiography |date=4 September 2008 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-84739-488-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NalAgJSnEUUC&dq=pele+biafra+war+ceasefire&pg=PT182 |access-date=12 May 2024|quote=It is said that there really was a 48-hour ceasefire in the war, made just for us … I’m not sure that is completely true}}</ref> Some sources, including Santos's website, say that the ceasefire was instead for the friendly in [[Benin City]], bordering Biafra. Local researchers have not found contemporary reports of any ceasefire.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Daniel |title=Did Pele and Santos really stop a war in Nigeria in 1969? |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/did-pele-and-santos-really-stop-a-war-in-nigeria-in-1969/yhomuw4g6fyr1fdvda0pu58b3 |access-date=12 May 2024 |publisher=Goal.com |date=29 December 2022 |archive-date=12 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512231550/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/did-pele-and-santos-really-stop-a-war-in-nigeria-in-1969/yhomuw4g6fyr1fdvda0pu58b3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During his time at Santos, Pelé played alongside many gifted players, including [[José Ely de Miranda|Zito]], [[José Macia|Pepe]], and [[Antônio Wilson Vieira Honório (Coutinho)|Coutinho]]; the latter partnered him in numerous one-two plays, attacks, and goals.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151009172821/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2007/m=4/news=pele-edges-eusebio-santos-defend-title-510495.html Santos – Pelé edges Eusébio as Santos defend title] FIFA. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2011</ref> After Pelé's 19th season with Santos, he left Brazilian football.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |last=Apple |first=R. W. Jr. |date=4 July 1975 |title=Pele to Play Soccer Here for $7-Million |page=A1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/04/archives/pele-to-play-soccer-here-for-7million-pele-agrees-to-cosmos-pact.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108081642/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/04/archives/pele-to-play-soccer-here-for-7million-pele-agrees-to-cosmos-pact.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pelé's 643 goals for Santos were the most goals scored for a single club until it was surpassed by [[Lionel Messi]] of [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in December 2020.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lionel Messi passes Pele for most goals with one club (VIDEO)|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/12/22/lionel-messi-most-goals-one-club-barcelona-pele-video|access-date=23 December 2020|magazine=Sports Illustrated|archive-date=5 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105173143/https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/12/22/lionel-messi-most-goals-one-club-barcelona-pele-video|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/22/european-roundup-lionel-messi-pele-record-barcelona-juventus-fiorentina-atletico-madrid |title=Lionel Messi breaks Pelé's record for goals at a single club |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2020 |access-date=23 December 2020 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014141307/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/22/european-roundup-lionel-messi-pele-record-barcelona-juventus-fiorentina-atletico-madrid |url-status=live }}</ref> <!--For anyone who can contribute, more information is needed from the period 1969-1974. -->

=== Tours with Santos ===
[[File:Pele in Egypt 2.jpg|thumb|Pelé cheering crowds in [[Cairo International Airport|Cairo Airport]], February 1973]]

Even though he never played in a European league, Pelé played exhibition games in several countries all over the world in tours with Santos. He played in Spain against [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] and [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], in [[Italy]] against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], [[Inter Milan]], [[AC Milan]] and [[AS Roma]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 December 2022 |title=Loyal to Santos, Pele toured and scored in Europe |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-loyal-to-santos-pele-toured-and-scored-in-europe/ |access-date=17 March 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA |archive-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231005605/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-loyal-to-santos-pele-toured-and-scored-in-europe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Pelé travelled to [[Egypt]] in 1973, and played with Santos against [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]. This trip was days after his team's trip to [[Kuwait]] to play a match against [[Qadsia SC|Qadsia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alaa Abdel-Ghani |date=3 January 2023 |title=When Pelé played in Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/50/483614/AlAhram-Weekly/When-Pel;-played-in-Egypt.aspx |access-date=17 March 2024 |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317142938/https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/50/483614/AlAhram-Weekly/When-Pel;-played-in-Egypt.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[Kuwait]], Pelé met by chance the Egyptian movie star [[Zubaida Tharwat]], who was in Kuwait attending a cinematic event. The two had a couple of photos and he admired her beauty. She said in a television interview about this incident that: she had traveled to [[Kuwait City]] in 1973 at the invitation of the Kuwaiti Minister of Culture at the time, and when she went to the hotel where she was going to stay, she was surprised by the presence of many people and flowers inside the hotel, and among these people came to her "Pelé" wearing a collar of roses, and he removed it from him and put it on her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=كمال قبيسي |date=30 December 2022 |title=حين عشق بيليه ممثلة مصرية وطلب منها الزواج في الكويت |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/last-page/2020/10/26/حين-عشق-بيليه-ممثلة-مصرية-وطلب-منها-الزواج-في-الكويت}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pele and the Arab World |url=https://www.kuwaitmoments.com/pele-and-the-arab-world-548794.html |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=Kuwait Moments |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Pele and Zubaida Tharwat.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|Pelé and [[Zubaida Tharwat]] in Kuwait, February 1973]]

When she asked what was going on and who was this person, whom she did not know because she did not like football, the hotel staff told her that he was the famous Brazilian football player, and that the hotel was crowded with his fans who wanted to see him. Zubaida Tharwat stated that after he saw her for the first time inside the hotel where they happened to be, he kept chasing her day and night, and wanted to take her with him to Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2021 |title=قصة حب البرازيلى بيليه لـ زبيدة ثروت وإعجابه بها من أول نظرة فى الكويت |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2021/12/13/%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%80-%D8%B2%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%85%D9%86/5577152 |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=اليوم السابع |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317143318/https://www.youm7.com/story/2021/12/13/%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%80-%D8%B2%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%85%D9%86/5577152 |url-status=live }}</ref> By chance, the next stop for Pelé's tour was to [[Cairo]], and he met again with Tharwat, who stated that she could not communicate with him as he did not speak [[English language|English]] at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A big surprise... Pele's love story with this late Arab artist? (photo) |url=https://dearborn.org/en/preview/a-big-surprise-peles-love-story-with-this-late-arab-artist-photo-19882 |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=dearborn.org |language=en |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317141114/https://dearborn.org/en/preview/a-big-surprise-peles-love-story-with-this-late-arab-artist-photo-19882 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Get to Know about Pelé-Zubaida Tharwat Love Story {{!}} Sada Elbalad |url=https://see.news/get-to-know-about-pele-zubaida-tharwat-love-story |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=see.news |language=en}}</ref>

=== New York Cosmos ===

[[File:President_Nixon_meeting_with_Edson_%22Pele%22_Arantes_do_Nacimento,_retired_professional_Brazilian_soccer_player_and..._-_NARA_-_194508.tif|thumb|left|Pelé signing a [[Ball (association football)|football]] for US president [[Richard Nixon]] at the [[White House]] in 1973, two years before joining the [[New York Cosmos (1970–85)|New York Cosmos]]]]

After the 1974 season (his 19th with Santos), Pelé retired from Brazilian club football although he continued to occasionally play for Santos in official competitive matches. A year later, he came out of semi-retirement to sign with the [[New York Cosmos (1970–85)|New York Cosmos]] of the [[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL) for the [[1975 North American Soccer League season|1975 season]].<ref name="auto1"/> At a chaotic press conference at New York's [[21 Club]], the Cosmos unveiled Pelé. John O'Reilly, the club's media spokesman, stated, "We had superstars in the United States but nothing at the level of Pelé. Everyone wanted to touch him, shake his hand, get a photo with him."<ref>{{cite news |first=Gavin |last=Newsham |title=When Pele and Cosmos were kings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jun/10/sport.comment |date=9 June 2005 |access-date=1 September 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517012754/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jun/10/sport.comment |url-status=live }}</ref> Though well past his prime at this point, Pelé was credited with significantly increasing public awareness and interest of the sport in the US.<ref name="theG">{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=30 September 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/30/pele-soccer-america-new-york-cosmos |title=How Pelé lit up soccer in America and left a legacy fit for a king |work=The Guardian |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101031643/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/30/pele-soccer-america-new-york-cosmos |url-status=live }}</ref> During his first public appearance in Boston, he was injured by a crowd of fans who had surrounded him and was evacuated on a stretcher.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yaisinis |first=Alex |date=21 June 1975 |title=Swarming Fans Injure Pele |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/21/archives/swarming-fans-injure-pele-pele-hurt-when-fans-rush-field.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108081643/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/21/archives/swarming-fans-injure-pele-pele-hurt-when-fans-rush-field.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Pele debut v tornado.jpg|thumb|upright|Pelé entering the field to play his first game with the Cosmos, 15 June 1975]]

Pelé made his debut for the Cosmos on 15 June 1975 against the [[Dallas Tornado]] at Downing Stadium, scoring one goal in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=2 June 2015 |title=40 years on: how New York Cosmos lured Pelé to a football wasteland |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/02/40-years-on-how-new-york-cosmos-lured-pele-to-a-football-wasteland |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=18 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118150827/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/02/40-years-on-how-new-york-cosmos-lured-pele-to-a-football-wasteland |url-status=live }}</ref> Pelé opened the door for many other stars to play in North America. [[Giorgio Chinaglia]] followed him to the Cosmos, then [[Franz Beckenbauer]] and his former Santos teammate [[Carlos Alberto Torres|Carlos Alberto]]. Over the next few years other players came to the league, including [[Johan Cruyff]], [[Eusébio]], [[Bobby Moore]], [[George Best]] and [[Gordon Banks]].<ref name="theG" />

In 1975, one week before the [[Lebanese Civil War]], Pelé played a friendly game for the Lebanese club [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] against a team of [[Lebanese Premier League]] stars,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mepc.org/journal/football-and-politics-shadow-cedars-2000-2015|title=Football and Politics in the Shadow of the Cedars, 2000–2015|website=mepc.org|date=3 June 2018 |publisher=Middle East Policy Council|access-date=18 January 2019|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108081643/https://mepc.org/journal/football-and-politics-shadow-cedars-2000-2015|url-status=live}}</ref> scoring two goals which were not included in his official tally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/lebanon-s-national-teams-fly-above-entrenched-sectarianism-among-supporters-1.810861|title=Lebanon's national teams fly above entrenched sectarianism among supporters|website=The National|date=8 January 2019|access-date=18 January 2019|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108080905/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/lebanon-s-national-teams-fly-above-entrenched-sectarianism-among-supporters-1.810861|url-status=live}}</ref> On the day of the game, 40,000 spectators were at the stadium from early morning to watch the match.<ref name=":0" />

Pelé led the Cosmos to the [[Soccer Bowl '77|1977 Soccer Bowl]], in his third and final season with the club.{{sfn|Dunmore|2011|p=198}} In June 1977, the Cosmos attracted an NASL record 62,394 fans to [[Giants Stadium]] for a 3–0 victory past the [[Tampa Bay Rowdies]] with a 37-year-old Pelé scoring a hat-trick. In the first leg of the quarter-finals, they attracted a US record crowd of 77,891 for what turned into an 8–3 rout of the [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]] at Giants Stadium. In the second leg of the semi-finals against the [[Rochester Lancers (1967–1980)|Rochester Lancers]], the Cosmos won 4–1.<ref name="theG"/> Pelé finished his official playing career on 28 August 1977, by leading the New York Cosmos to their second Soccer Bowl title with a 2–1 win over the [[Seattle Sounders (1974–83)|Seattle Sounders]] at the [[Civic Stadium (Portland, Oregon)|Civic Stadium]] in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gustkey |first=Earl |date=28 August 1999 |title=Pele's Contributions Gave Soccer a Foothold |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-28-sp-4571-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=17 September 2021 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108082158/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-28-sp-4571-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 1 October 1977, Pelé closed out his career in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos. The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd at Giants Stadium and was televised in the US on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' as well as throughout the world. Pelé's father and wife both attended the match, as well as [[Muhammad Ali]] and Bobby Moore.{{sfn|Freedman|2014|p=165}} Delivering a message to the audience before the start of the game – "Love is more important than what we can take in life" – Pelé played the first half with the Cosmos, the second with Santos. The game ended with the Cosmos winning 2–1, with Pelé scoring with a 30-yard free-kick for the Cosmos in what was the final goal of his career. During the second half, it started to rain, prompting a Brazilian newspaper to come out with the headline the following day: "Even The Sky Was Crying."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/02/archives/love-love-love-cries-pele-to-75646-in-farewell-love-love-cries-pele.html|title='Love! Love! Love!' Cries Pele to 75,646 in Farewell|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 October 1977|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108080905/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/02/archives/love-love-love-cries-pele-to-75646-in-farewell-love-love-cries-pele.html|url-status=live}}</ref>