Pelé’s last performance with the New York Cosmos was a catalyst for a “sports revolution” throughout North America, according to CNN.

Pele had achieved numerous accolades, including three World Cups and a worldwide reputation, but he still had more to accomplish. He made the decision to move to the US and played a significant role in elevating the popularity of soccer in North America.

Unable to reword.

Before joining the North American Soccer League (NASL) team, Pelé had retired from professional soccer after playing 638 games for his childhood club Santos.

It seemed unlikely that Pelé would leave Santos and play for another club, but in the middle of the 1975 season, he signed a $1.67 million per year contract with the Cosmos. This was a surprising move as soccer was not very popular in North America at the time.

Pele arrived, observed, and triumphed. When he departed in 1977, he was a champion in the NASL and had played a crucial role in igniting a surge of interest in soccer.

“After his passing this week, the Cosmos released a statement stating that Pelé had greatly impacted the local soccer scene during his three seasons with the team.”

“Previously, there were only baseball fields, but now there are also soccer fields.”

The Cosmos and their leader sparked a sports revolution in America and also journeyed around the globe to promote the message of the Beautiful Game.

In 1977, the Brazilian individual had a conversation with former US President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

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Even after nearly five decades, Pelé’s impact continues to be significant in both men’s and women’s soccer in North America.

His transfer to Cosmos opened the door for other legends like Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer to do the same. Even though the NASL eventually disbanded in 1984, it provided a model for Major League Soccer (MLS) which was created in 1993.

Famous players like David Beckham, Gareth Bale, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have emulated Pelé’s lead in promoting the sport in North America by joining the MLS.

Pelé paved the way for additional prominent players to join the US league.

Football in the United States is currently flourishing, as evidenced by the impressive performance of the US Men’s National Team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Scouts from various parts of the globe are currently focused on North America to uncover fresh talent, as the sport has become deeply embedded in society and is often inherited within families.

Pelé’s natural talent and contagious smile were key factors in the advancements made during the 1970s.

During the Qatar 2022 event, CNN’s Don Riddell interviewed fans who expressed their admiration for Pelé. One American fan even went as far as to say that the soccer legend had a profound impact on his life.

“I witnessed my first professional game in 1975 and that experience has contributed to my attendance at 11 World Cups,” Clifton Broumand shared with CNN.

“Observing his skill captivated me and made me want to attend soccer matches and the World Cup.”

After winning the championship in his final season in the US, Pelé proudly raises the NACL trophy.

Before Pelé joined Santos in 1975, the Cosmos’ highest recorded attendance for a match was slightly above 8,000 individuals.

According to the Society for American Soccer History, in his last and most triumphant year in 1977, the typical attendance for home games was 42,689, with three instances of over 70,000 people present.

At the age of 34, Pelé joined the Cosmos and went on to score 37 goals in 64 matches for the NASL.

“Pelé’s decision to bring his artistry to the United States with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s was a transformative moment for the sport in this country,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.

Pelé’s mesmerizing performances in the US and Canada showcased the immense influence and boundless potential of the sport.

After Brazil’s victory over Italy in the 1970 World Cup final, Pelé was lifted off the field by enthusiastic fans.

AFP/Getty Images

At the young age of 16, Pelé made his first appearance for Brazil’s national team, less than a year after joining Brazilian club Santos in 1956.

In 1958, Pelé expressed his admiration for the Jules Rimet Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the World Cup.

In the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden, Pelé scored Brazil’s third goal, leading the team to a 5-2 victory and securing their first-ever World Cup title. Reflecting on the historic win many years later, Pelé shared with CNN’s Don Riddell that it brought widespread recognition to Brazil and he believes it was his most significant contribution to his country.

After winning the World Cup in 1958, Pelé was seen crying on his Brazilian teammate Gilmar. Not only did he score two goals in the final match, but he also achieved a hat trick in the semifinal victory against France. Pelé also contributed the team’s only goal in the quarterfinal win against Wales.

After Santos was crowned state champions of São Paulo in 1961, Pelé proudly wore a sash to commemorate the victory. Pelé, who played for Santos from 1956 to 1974, holds the impressive record of scoring 618 goals and leading the team to six Brazilian league titles. In both 1962 and 1963, Santos also achieved success in the Copa Libertadores, the top club competition in South America.

In 1961, Pelé is seen driving his car. He had a humble upbringing in Bauru, Brazil and developed his skills by playing barefoot with makeshift balls made out of coconuts or socks.

In 1962, Pelé made a comeback to the World Cup as a member of the Brazilian team. He played a pivotal role in their first victory against Mexico. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during the second match against Czechoslovakia and was unable to participate in the remaining games. Despite this setback, Brazil successfully defended their title.

In 1963, during a training break, Pelé was seen sitting on a ball. The Brazilian national team was visiting London for a match against England.

In 1965, Pelé is pictured with his parents, Dondinho and Celeste. Dondinho, who was also a soccer player, passed on his skills and taught his son how to play the sport.

In 1965, Pelé executed an overhead kick during a game. According to Dutch soccer legend Johan Cruyff, Pelé was the only football player to defy the limitations of reason.

In 1965, after a game in Rio de Janeiro, the legendary Pelé and US Senator Robert F. Kennedy exchanged handshakes.

In 1966, Pelé and his spouse, Rosemeri, encountered Pope Paul VI during their trip to the Vatican. The pair, who had recently gotten married, were on their honeymoon in Germany, Austria, and Italy.

In 1966, Pelé autographed for children. He participated in the 1966 World Cup with Brazil, but the team did not progress past the group stage.

In 1967, Pelé and his wife, Rosemeri, went for a stroll with their young daughter, Kely. This was their first child as a couple. They eventually had three children before their divorce in 1978.

In 1968, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and her husband, Prince Philip, presented a trophy to Pelé after attending a match in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1969, Pelé celebrates with his fans following his milestone of scoring 1,000 career goals.

During the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Pelé finds relaxation by the hotel pool.

In the 1970 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy, Pelé scored the opening goal and celebrated in triumph as his team went on to win 4-1. Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich admitted that he underestimated Pelé before the match, but after his impressive performance, he acknowledged his mistake.

In 1970, Pelé and Jairzinho celebrate their victory in the World Cup final. The Brazilian team had a perfect record of winning all six matches in the tournament, earning them the title of one of the greatest teams in history according to many.

In 1970, Pelé lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy as Brazil triumphed in the World Cup. This victory allowed Brazil to claim ownership of the trophy permanently, as it was their third title. A new World Cup trophy was then introduced in 1974.

In 1973, Pelé and his wife Rosemeri visited the White House, where he autographed a soccer ball for US President Richard Nixon. Throughout his lifetime, Pelé had the opportunity to meet several US presidents. His fame was acknowledged by Ronald Reagan in 1986 when he humorously stated, “I may be the President of the United States of America, but I don’t need an introduction because everyone knows who Pelé is.”

In 1973, Pelé shares some advice with late-night TV host Johnny Carson.

In 1975, Pelé greeted the audience before his first appearance with the New York Cosmos. He agreed to a $1.4 million yearly deal with the team and created a significant impact in the developing league.

In 1975, a promotional event was held in New York where American football player Joe Namath and Pelé exchanged balls.

In 1977, a group of cheerleaders eagerly awaited the arrival of Pelé onto the field for a Cosmos match.

In 1977, Pelé displayed both Brazilian and American flags at Giants Stadium during his last game. The match was a friendly exhibition between the Cosmos and his longtime Brazilian team, Santos. Pelé played the first half for the Cosmos and the second half for Santos.

Pele is seen at a gathering with actors Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone. The trio had previously acted together in the 1981 movie “Escape to Victory.”

In 1991, Pelé takes a photo in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1997, Pelé congratulated two prominent Brazilian players, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, for finishing in first and second place for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award.

In 2006, Pelé sat for a portrait. As he grew older, Pelé became a vocal advocate for the underprivileged in Brazil. He dedicated many years as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for peace and aid for disadvantaged children.

In 2008, both Pelé and English football player David Beckham were present at a charity event to honor the sport of soccer in the United States.

In 2011, Pelé was seen in Natori, Japan with kids after an earthquake and tsunami struck the area. His visit was to support the promotion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil.

In 2016, Pelé was present at a philanthropic game held in Manchester, England.

Pelé’s life in pictures

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Beacon of light

Clive Toye, the inaugural General Manager of the Cosmos, played a crucial part in convincing the sport’s most prominent player at the time to join the team.

Toye, a previous journalist, played a significant role in the development of the NASL. He had a strong belief in the potential of soccer in the United States and saw Pelé as the key player to bring that vision to fruition.

However, Toye and the Cosmos received strong resistance from various countries in their pursuit of securing Pelé’s signature.

Significant political involvement was utilized, with Pelé claiming that former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger played a role in persuading him to join the Cosmos.

“In 2011, Pelé stated to CNN that he had numerous offers to play in England, Italy, Spain, and Mexico, but he declined them all. He explained that after 18 years of playing, he wanted to retire and rest.”

“The suggestion to travel to New York arose as they aimed to elevate the popularity of soccer in the United States. This was the motivation behind my undertaking.”

During his tenure in New York, Pelé brought in a new group of supporters to the sport.

All of a sudden, it became trendy to watch soccer.

The Cosmos, with their star-studded team, became a highly sought-after ticket in town and their matches were televised worldwide. Pelé and the Cosmos even embarked on a global tour.

Dennis Tueart, a former player for Cosmos, shared that during their travels to different parts of the world such as Asia, Australia, and Europe, Pelé was always in high demand. This was even true for Tueart himself, who was brought in to replace Pelé and even had the opportunity to play alongside him in some exhibition matches, as he told Sky Sports.

“He possessed remarkable foresight and exceptional physical capabilities […] in my opinion, he was undoubtedly the greatest.”

Pelé’s legacy continues to be felt in present-day New York City. In 2019, the ‘Pelé Soccer’ store was established on the renowned Times Square, drawing in numerous fans following news of his passing.

After winning the NASL championship in 1977, the Cosmos arranged a farewell game against Pelé’s previous team Santos. In this game, Pelé played for both teams during one half, marking his last official match.

Following the statement of praise, he spoke to a crowd of over 70,000 individuals in a full New York Giants Stadium, leading them in a chant of “Love, love, love.”

Maybe a suitable conclusion for a gentleman who brought happiness wherever he traveled and who played a role in promoting soccer as a lifestyle in North America.