Pelé became private Nascimento again for a day. On Wednesday 4th, the greatest athlete of the 20th Century was at the Army Physical Education School (EsEEFx), in Rio de Janeiro where he received tribute for his 70 years. The turning point of the event was the opening of Espaço Rei Pelé (King Pelé Space) and his bust unveiling. The 3 times champion was invited to participate in the 5th Military World Gamed Rio 2011 opening ceremony.
On a sunny morning, Pelé was received by the São João Fortress troop, heard the “Army Anthem” and exalted the time he served in the 6th Coast Motorized Artillery Group, in Praia Grande- SP in 1959.
“It is important to say that a building doesn´t collapse if its foundations are strong. That has happened to me when I served in the Army. It has been one of the best things in my life. Having respecting others, learning to work as a team and doing humanitarian work. That was Pelé and Edson´s greatest gift”, he told
Goal and South American title
World Champion in the previous year, at the age of 17, Pelé was reluctant in joining the Army. However he had no choice when he tried to convince the Director of Santos Football Club, who happened to be military.
“I asked Colonel Monerat to discharge me and he answered: what Am I going to tell to the others? The world champion has a lung disease or flat feet? You have to be an example to the youth”. In 1959, Brazil won the Armed Forces South American Championship by beating Argentina on a 2x1 score and a goal scored by him. A decade later, the player from Santos met again the military environment at the same EsEEFx, when the National Team trained for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. It worked; the Canary Team became three-time champion.
Invitation for Rio 2011
At the school auditorium, Brigade-General Jamil Megid Junior, General Coordinator of the 5th Military World Games Operational Planning Committee, explained to Pelé details of the competition and gave him a shirt and an invitation letter to participate in the opening ceremony on July 16th at the João Havelange Stadium. The King also watched a lecture about the EsEEFx given by Gen Fernando Azevedo e Silva, President of the Army Sports Committee
After that, Pelé dedicated the space that honors him with historical pictures, information and a bust, signed by the artist Marli Mazeredo. In the end of the ceremony, with his usual patience, he gave autographs and took pictures with his fans.
On a sunny morning, Pelé was received by the São João Fortress troop, heard the “Army Anthem” and exalted the time he served in the 6th Coast Motorized Artillery Group, in Praia Grande- SP in 1959.
“It is important to say that a building doesn´t collapse if its foundations are strong. That has happened to me when I served in the Army. It has been one of the best things in my life. Having respecting others, learning to work as a team and doing humanitarian work. That was Pelé and Edson´s greatest gift”, he told
Goal and South American title
World Champion in the previous year, at the age of 17, Pelé was reluctant in joining the Army. However he had no choice when he tried to convince the Director of Santos Football Club, who happened to be military.
“I asked Colonel Monerat to discharge me and he answered: what Am I going to tell to the others? The world champion has a lung disease or flat feet? You have to be an example to the youth”. In 1959, Brazil won the Armed Forces South American Championship by beating Argentina on a 2x1 score and a goal scored by him. A decade later, the player from Santos met again the military environment at the same EsEEFx, when the National Team trained for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. It worked; the Canary Team became three-time champion.
Invitation for Rio 2011
At the school auditorium, Brigade-General Jamil Megid Junior, General Coordinator of the 5th Military World Games Operational Planning Committee, explained to Pelé details of the competition and gave him a shirt and an invitation letter to participate in the opening ceremony on July 16th at the João Havelange Stadium. The King also watched a lecture about the EsEEFx given by Gen Fernando Azevedo e Silva, President of the Army Sports Committee
After that, Pelé dedicated the space that honors him with historical pictures, information and a bust, signed by the artist Marli Mazeredo. In the end of the ceremony, with his usual patience, he gave autographs and took pictures with his fans.
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