This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/14/2024
Born into extreme poverty in Brazil’s southern state of Minas Gerais, Edson Arantes do Nascimento was able to turn his family's life around through his sensational ability on the pitch from a very young age. The football legend known only as Pelé signed his first professional contract in 1956 at the age of 15 with the prestigious Brazilian club, Santos FC. The following year, he made his first appearance with the Brazil National Team at age 16. During his prolific international career, Pelé won three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962 and 1970) – the only player ever to do so for his country. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in international competition with 77 goals in 91 caps and remains the G.O.A.T. among most soccer pundits.
This lot features an incredible Pelé Brazil National Team match worn and signed jersey dating to 1968, near the end of his epic run with the Seleção and two years before winning his third World Cup title. Although the exact international match in which Pelé donned this iconic No. 10 Brazil shirt is unknown, it shows obvious wear with what looks like a combination of dirt and sweat staining primarily on the lower front and back sections. The yellow short-sleeved shirt, with a green and yellow collar and sleeve ends, includes the “CBD” (Confederação Brasileira de Desportos or Brazilian Sport Confederation) embroidered patch on the left chest. Only two stars are sewn above the CBD patch as Brazil had yet to win its third World Cup. Sewn on the reverse in large blue letters is Pelé’s famous number "10" showing significant fraying. Proper “ATHLETA” [Sao Paulo) manufacturer’s tagging appears on the inner collar. Pelé has added an early era autograph on the right chest with the inscription, "Ao amigo um abrazo [a hug to my friend], Edson = Pelé."
The provenance of this shirt makes it particularly special. It was gifted by Pelé to another Brazilian football legend, the great Garrincha, who teamed with Pelé for two of his World Cup titles. With the two superstars on the pitch together, Brazil never lost a match. That's a fact. In 1999, FIFA voted Garrincha #7 on its Player of the Century list. Garrincha eventually passed this shirt down to his daughter, who signed the included letter. Additional LOAs from MEARS authenticating the jersey itself and Beckett for the autograph.