Winter Auction 2021 Ending March 6-7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/7/2021
Pelé, considered by several generations of enthusiasts to be the world’s foremost "footballer," became a national hero in Brazil, and then he helped to jump-start soccer in the U.S. with his play for the New York Cosmos from 1975-77. Pelé is almost universally acclaimed as the most distinguished representative of the popular international sport.
In 1958, Brazil won its first of five World Cups. Pelé led his team to victory with a breathtaking clutch performance when he scored a hat trick in the semi-finals against France and two more goals in the finals against Sweden. His astounding accomplishments made the athlete an instant international sensation. The entire planet knew that Pelé had announced himself to the world, and that he was a superstar destined for greatness.
During his 15 years with the Brazil national team, Pelé broke hundreds of records. He is considered by FIFA to be the most prolific scorer in soccer history, with 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches across all competitions. He's the most prolific striker in Brazil's history with 77 goals in 92 international matches. Pelé is the only player to have won three World Cups, and he is one of only two players to have scored in four World Cup competitions.
Graded GD 2 by PSA. National Soccer Hall of Fame and International Football Hall of Fame enshrinee, in a coveted Rookie Card appearance. This is one of fewer than seventy examples recorded in PSA's census reporting. A sought-after, Swedish-issue collectible, this Pelé Rookie Card displays an evocative portrait of the legendary figure. (The star is shown on the field in his Brazilian uniform at the 1958 World Cup in Stockholm, Sweden.) The piece exhibits natural, generalized wear consistent with its grading assessment. An important and desirable memento, in Good condition.