Born into extreme poverty in Brazil’s southern state of Minas Gerais, Edson Arantes do Nascimento was able to turn his 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 prestigious Brazilian club, Santos F.C. 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 Pele’s Brazil National Team match worn jersey dating to 1969, near the end of his epic run with the Seleção and a year before leading his country to its third World Cup title in the previous four tournaments. Although the exact international match in which Pelé donned this iconic No. 10 Brazil shirt is unknown, it displays heavy wear throughout with sweat staining and spot soiling clearly visible on the cotton material. The yellow long-sleeved shirt, with a green collar and green ribbed sleeves, includes the “CBD” (Confederação Brasileira de Desportos or Brazilian Sport Confederation, predecessor of the current Brazilian Football Confederation) embroidered patch over the left chest. Sewn on the reverse in green is Pelé’s famous number "10" showing significant fraying. Proper “ATHLETA” [Sao Paulo) manufacturer’s tagging appears on the inner collar.
The provenance of this shirt makes it extra special. It was gifted by Pelé to fellow Brazilian football star Paulo Cesar Lima, better known as Caju, who played with Pelé' on Brazil's triumphant 1970 World Cup squad. The attacking midfielder was a prominent member of the Brazil National Team for over a decade (1967-77), scoring 10 goals in 57 caps. Caju has signed a letter of provenance in Portuguese for the jersey dating it to 1969. An additional LOA from MEARS has authenticated the shirt and verified its size and specs as being consistent with Brazil jerseys from that period. One of the better Pelé Brazil gamers you will find in the hobby!