Pelé is considered the greatest soccer player who ever lived. Apologies to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or anyone else mentioned in this stature, but no player in the history of "football" has had a greater global impact and accomplished more on the pitch than the 5’8” Brazilian striker. In a storied professional career spanning from 1956 to 1977, Pelé led Brazil to three World Cup titles (1958, 1962 & 1970) making him the only player ever to do so. He scored more goals than anyone in the history of the sport, a mind-boggling 1,281 in 1,363 games with his national and club teams (including unofficial friendlies and tours). His 92 goals with the Brazilian National Team are still a record. He played his last international match with Brazil on July 18, 1971 against Yugoslavia in Rio de Janeiro. With Pelé in the lineup, Brazil posted a remarkable 67-11-14 record. No wonder the man is a national hero and global icon. He spent his last three playing years with the New York Cosmos of the NASL, culminating with a 1977 title his final season. Though well past his prime, Pelé still dominated in his late 30’s and had an enormous impact on launching the popularization of soccer in the U.S.
Presented here is an incredible Brazil National Team game worn jersey from 1971—the last year Pelé represented his native country in international play. The yellow shirt with a green crew neck and green cuffed sleeves has the "CBD" shield patch, denoting the Brazilian National team emblem, sewn on the left chest. The three green stars above the patch represent each of Brazil’s three World Cup titles that Pelé helped bring home. His large "10" is sewn in green on the back. Inside the collar is an “ATHLETA” manufacturer’s tag saying in Portuguese that it was made in Sao Paulo and the material is 100% cotton. Across the upper chest is a vintage Pelé signature using his birth name Edson, which has faded to a 5/10 rating. The shirt comes all-original with no alterations and shows fantastic wear, with abundant signs of stretching, soiling and sweat stains. Several style-matching photos can be found online. An example sold at auction for $9,300 in 2011. Rare opportunity to own a museum-worthy piece of world history.
Autograph deemed "inconclusive" by PSA/DNA.