This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but the world knows him simply
as Pelé. In a career that spanned two decades, Pele revolutionized the
game of soccer and today is still recognized as the greatest footballer
of all-time. Pele was a member of the Brazilian National team for 15
years (1957-1971) and capped off his career by helping to popularize the
sport in the United States when he joined the New York Cosmos in 1975.
Because he played his career before there was much interest in soccer
memorabilia, anything from Pele’s career is prized, with a game-used
piece such as this Brazil National Team jersey certainly being the most
coveted. According to the documentation provided, Pele donned this
offered jersey during the May 24, 1970 exhibition match between Irapuato
F.C. and Pele’s Brazilian National Team. Brazil blanked Irapuato 3-0 on
their home pitch in Estádio Irapuato. The Mexican professional football
club has a long history dating back to 1911.
The yellow National Team jersey has green trimmed arm openings and collar with a “CBD” (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol)
crest on the left chest. The collar retains the appropriate “ATHLETA”
label with details in Portuguese on the reverse. The back has Pele’s
iconic number “10 sewn on in large green tackle twill numbers. The
“Football” God has autographed the front in 8/10 black pen. The jersey
shows solid match use with light soling and scuffing throughout as well
as some toning to the yellow body. The stitching on the short-sleeve and
shoulder seams has loosened over time, even coming apart 1cm on the
left shoulder. Internal white elastic trim running from the inside the
collar down to the start of the sleeves on each side are unique features
of this shirt, further adding to its authenticity. The chest patch and
numbers on the back show puckering from being laundered repeatedly.
A tremendously scarce gamer worn by the most revered soccer player in
the history of the sport, the jersey comes with a letter of provenance
from the widow of Joao Liethard Neto, member of the 1984 Brazil Olympic
Team and several professional clubs. The letter states that the game
worn jersey was given to her husband by Pele. Full LOA'S from JSA and PSA/DNA for the autograph.