Episode Details

Legend says warring factions in Nigeria paused for 48 hours just to watch him play. This deep dive explores Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, from a childhood of poverty in Bauru playing with a grapefruit or a sock stuffed with newspaper to his rise as the youngest player ever to win a World Cup.

We examine how futsal shaped his decision making, why Brazil declared him a national treasure, the gol de placa, his 1000th goal, the 1970 World Cup and his embrace with Bobby Moore, and his arrival with the New York Cosmos. We also confront the human cost of fame, from a hidden kidney removal to family tragedy, and the Pelé Law that brought players free agency.

• How a typo and a mispronounced name created his identity
• Futsal as speed chess and the foundation of his genius
• The national treasure decree and the gilded cage
• The Nigerian ceasefire legend and the 1000th goal
• Bringing soccer to the United States and his complicated personal life