...an unauthorized story on Pelé

1 x 60' + 4 x 5' bonus features

‘The King of Football’

Pelé, hailed as ‘The King’, is quite simply the greatest footballer ever to have lived.

At just 15 years of age, Pelé was predicted to become the fi nest footballer ever; a prediction which came true only two short years later when at 17, Pelé scored a goal for the World Cup winning side (Brazil) - a goal that is widely considered one of the best in World Cup History.

From there Pelé went from strength to strength, both on and off the fi eld. Penning several autobiographies, starring in a documentary and composing several musical pieces, Pelé’s infl uence has also been felt in his role as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Oh, and then there’s his football career...

‘The King of Football’ is uplifting, inspiring and celebratory. Relive the journey of this gifted athlete and prepare for all the excitement of the 2010 WORLD CUP in World Wide Entertainment’s one hour special on Pelé.

PROGRAMME SYNOPSIS

EARLY YEARS - Born Edson Arantes Do Nascimento to a Fluminese Footballer and his wife, Pelé grew up in the poor districts in Sao Paolo. His parents - perhaps with great foresight - named him after Thomas Edison, the great American inventor. The young Pelé could not afford a football so instead kicked around a balled-up newspaper tied together with string, or a grapefruit.

A natural athlete, Pelé was spotted early on by professional players and at 15 he was taken to try out for Santos Futebal Clube, and it was with Santos that he made his professional debut, scoring one goal in a victory over Corinthians. From there Pelé became the top scoring player in the league, and was then called up to the Brazilian National Team.

WORLD CUP CAREERPelé was the youngest player to debut in the 1958 tournament. In the quarter-fi nals against Wales, he also became the youngest ever World Cup goal-scorer at just 17 years of age. From there, Pelé went on to appear in the 1962, ‘66 and ‘70 World Cup Tournaments, contributing to Brazil’s wins, but also having to retire early due to injuries and fatigue.

In 1972 Pelé retired from the Brazilian Football Club. In 1975 he came out of his semi-retirement to increase the profi le of football in America by playing for the New York Cosmos.

OFF-PITCHPelé has worked on various humanitarian projects, and became the UN Ambassador for Ecology & Environment in 1992. In 1995 he received Brazil’s medal for outstanding services to sport and was appointed to the position of ‘Extraordinary Minister for Sport’. He has also been appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Pelé has published several autobiographies, starred in documentaries and composed music pieces.

BONUS FEATURESPelé vs Charlton | Rags to Riches | Goodwill Ambassador | American Soccer

scored a goal

several autobiographies, starring in a documentary and composing several musical

is uplifting, inspiring and celebratory. Relive the journey of

- Born Edson Arantes Do Nascimento to a Fluminese Footballer and his grew up in the poor districts in Sao Paolo. His parents - perhaps with great

Cup Tournaments, contributing to Brazil’s wins, but also having to retire early due to

semi-retirement to increase the profi le of football in America by playing for the New

has worked on various humanitarian projects, and became the UN Ambassador for Ecology & Environment in 1992. In 1995 he received Brazil’s medal for outstanding

The crowd erupts

Off-pitch...

A ‘golden’ moment

has published several autobiographies, starred in documentaries and composed

vs Charlton | Rags to Riches | Goodwill Ambassador | American Soccer

for Ecology & Environment in 1992. In 1995 he received Brazil’s medal for outstanding

has published several autobiographies, starred in documentaries and composed

Ronaldo & Pele