Pelé: The Men Who Shaped a Legend

## Dondinho: The Father Who Taught Him to Play

My father, Dondinho, was the first person to put a ball at my feet. He was a footballer himself, though injuries cut his career short before he could reach the heights he dreamed of. At home in Três Corações, he would take me to the field and teach me the basics — how to control the ball, how to strike it cleanly, how to read the game. He didn’t have fancy equipment, just a stitched-up sock filled with rags, but that was all I needed. Watching him play, even in local matches, gave me a sense of what it meant to love the game. I’ve often said that without Dondinho, there would be no Pelé.

## Waldemar de Brito: The Coach Who Saw the Future

When I was just fifteen, Waldemar de Brito took me under his wing. A former Brazilian international, he saw something special in me and insisted I was destined for greatness. It was he who pushed me to join Santos FC, a decision that changed my life. He didn’t just train me — he believed in me when others might have seen just a skinny boy from the countryside. He told me I’d be the best in the world, and he never let me forget it. That kind of faith, coming from someone who had played at the top level, gave me the courage to dream bigger than I ever had.

## Leônidas da Silva: The Star Who Showed the Way

Before Pelé, there was Leônidas da Silva — Brazil’s first global footballing icon. Known for his incredible technique and the iconic photo of him scoring barefoot in the 1938 World Cup, Leônidas was the first Brazilian to truly capture the world’s imagination on the pitch. As a boy, I watched him play and tried to mimic his style. His ability to score in any situation taught me that creativity and flair could change the game. When I finally met him years later, I told him he was my hero. He laughed, but I meant it. He opened the door — I just kicked it wide open.

## Garrincha: The Joy of Playing Without Limits

Playing alongside Garrincha during Brazil’s 1958 World Cup triumph was one of the greatest joys of my career. He was a magician on the wing, unpredictable and fearless. Garrincha didn’t follow rules — he bent them, and in doing so, showed me that football could be pure expression. While I focused on positioning and finishing, he danced past defenders with a smile on his face. We balanced each other perfectly, and together, we made magic in Sweden. Watching him play reminded me that football isn’t just about discipline — it’s about joy, and that’s something I carried with me forever.

## Vicente Feola: The Coach Who Believed in Me for the World Cup

When I was just 17, Coach Vicente Feola took a gamble and put me on Brazil’s 1958 World Cup squad. Many questioned the decision — I was so young, and I wasn’t even starting at first. But Feola saw something in me and gave me the chance to prove it on the world stage. After I scored in the semifinals and then two more in the final, the world started to believe, too. He had the courage to trust me when it mattered most, and I’ll always be grateful for that. Without his faith, I might not have become the player the world came to know.

## Brazil Itself: The Nation That Raised a King

Ultimately, I was shaped not just by individuals but by Brazil itself — the favelas, the beaches, the pickup games where every boy dreamed of being the next big star. The rhythm of samba, the improvisation of street football, the joy of playing barefoot on dusty fields — all of that made me who I am. Brazil gave me my flair, my rhythm, my love for the game. I may have worn the yellow jersey, but it was Brazil that gave me the heart to wear it proudly. That’s why I’ve always said: I was born to play for my country.

Talk to Pelé on HoloDream to hear more about the people who shaped his journey and the moments that defined a legend.