2020 October Legends Closing Oct 31 & Nov 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2020
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 MINT 9 by PSA. National Soccer Hall of Fame and International Football Hall of Fame enshrinee, in a coveted Rookie Card appearance. This is one of just five examples at its tier (with none graded higher) among a total of more than fifty copies recorded in PSA's census reporting. A truly exceptional, Swedish-issue collectible, this Pelé Rookie Card displays four razor-sharp corners and a clean, pristine surface. Its illustration is a rich, colorful and vibrant portrait of the 17-year-old soccer prodigy. (The star is shown on the field in his Brazilian uniform at the 1958 World Cup in Stockholm, Sweden.) An important and desirable piece, in top-tier Mint condition.
This outstanding collectible is emerging into a red-hot market for the finest soccer cards. As points of reference on value, a PSA NM 7 specimen recently sold for more than $43,000 in an online auction, and PSA's listing of auction results cites the sale of a PSA NM-MT 8 copy for $100,000.