In 1970 the greatest soccer player in the history of the game was the star on the greatest national team to ever take the pitch in competition. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known simply as Pele, was the silky, high-scoring forward for Santos F.C. and the Brazilian National Soccer Team. Pele had already led Brazil to two World Cup victories, including as a 17-year-old in the 1958 World Cup, and anything less than a victory in Mexico 1970 would have been considered an absolute failure. The team, featuring soccer legends such as Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Rivelino, and Tostao, was built around the unparalleled playmaking and goal scoring ability of their talisman, Pele.

     The Brazilian team would not be denied in Mexico, winning their first five games in dominating fashion to set up a World Cup Final against Italy and its dreaded catenaccio defense. In the final match against Ferruccio Valcareggi and his Italian team, Pele started off the scoring with a sublime header on the end of a Rivelino cross in the 18th minute. Italy would equalize in the 37th minute after a brief defensive lapse by the otherwise steadfast Brazilian back line. The match was tied until the 66th minute, when Brazilian number ten Gerson powered in a thunderous shot, opening up the floodgates for more Brazilian goals. Powerful winger Jairzinho, thanks to a beautiful assist from Pele, scored in the 71st minute, becoming the first player to score in every match of a World Cup. Brazil’s final goal, a Carlos Alberto effort, was the result of some of the most incredible team play ever seen at the World Cup. Brazil gained the ball at the edge of their own 18 yard box, and through several incredible feats of dribbling the ball found its way to Pele’s feet on the edge of Italy’s box. He quickly played the ball into the path of a hard-charging Carlos Alberto, whose one touch shot screamed past the Italian goalkeeper, driving the score to an unreachable 4-1. This victory gave Brazil their third World Cup championship, then the most all-time. Pele became the first three-time winner of the Jules Rimet Trophy, a record that has never since been equalized. This would be the last World Cup for Pele, as he retired from international play in 1971, aged only 30.

     Pele wore this knit pullover jersey in 1970, when Brazil played in 14 international friendlies in addition to the World Cup. In Brazil’s 20 total games played in 1970, they accumulated a record of 18-1-1, drawing against Paraguay and losing only to their archrival, Argentina. Pele scored 12 of his record 77 goals for the national team in this period, cementing his legacy as the greatest player in history. This jersey is the iconic canary yellow of Brazil, with green rings around the sleeve openings and collar. A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol crest is sewn on the left breast, while the “Athleta” manufacturers tag is affixed to the inside of the collar. Pele’s number 10 is sewn on the back of the jersey is verdant green twill. The jersey shows heavy wear and game use consistent with the era. Pele signed the right chest area in faded, but still eminently legible, black pen. An inscription in Portuguese is penned directly above the signature. This jersey comes with a LOA from MEARS, who have graded this historic jersey a perfect A10, for game use, and a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication for the signature.

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