King In Life

Pelé and friends form their own football team called Sete de Setembro, but they have no kit. They manage to raise enough for T-shirts and shorts, but no boots. They join the ranks of the other poverty-stricken barefoot teams in the area.

Pelé and Dondinho shed tears after Brazil lose the 1950 World Cup to Uruguay in front of 175,000 at the Maracanã stadium in Rio. The event is considered a national tragedy in Brazil. Pelé promises that he’ll win the trophy for his father one day.

Pelé undergoes a week’s trial at Santos. He impresses and is offered a professional contract.

Pelé makes his senior competitive debut against Corinthians. He scores his first goal in a 7-1 Santos victory.

Pelé scores on his international debut against Argentina in the seventy-seventh minute of the Copa Rocca, after being brought on as substitute for striker Mazzola. Brazil lose 2-1.

Pelé is named in Brazil’s final World Cup squad for Sweden. An administrative error leads to the Brazilian players being allocated unfamiliar numbers for the Sweden tournament. Pelé is given number 10.

After sitting out Brazil’s opening two matches, Pelé plays his first World Cup match against USSR at the age of 17. Brazil win 2-0.

Pelé scores a hat-trick as Brazil beat France 5-2 to secure their place in the World Cup final.

Brazil beat Sweden in the World Cup final. Pelé becomes the youngest-ever player to win the trophy, scoring twice in a 5-2 win that brings his tally in the tournament to six. Pelé faints at the final whistle and has to be revived by team-mates, then sobs as Brazil receive the trophy.

Pelé begins his military service. Alongside his obligations to Santos and the national side he is also required to play for the Brazilian Army team and the barracks Army team.