Mar 19, 2025 - Apr 5, 2025
Born into extreme poverty in Brazil’s southern state of Minas Gerais, Edson Arantes do Nascimento was able to turn his life around through his sensational ability on the pitch. The football legend known only as Pelé signed his first professional contract in 1956 at the age of 15 with prestigious Brazilian club, Santos FC. The following year, he made his first appearance with the Brazil National Team at age 16. During his prolific international career, Pelé won three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962 and 1970) – the only player ever to do so for his country. He retired as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 91 caps, and his unfathomable 1,283 career goals in all competitions will never be topped.
Presented here is the third-earliest Pelé Brazil match worn jersey we’ve had the pleasure of auctioning. It dates to 1959 when the 18-year-old prodigy was starting to make a name for himself with the Senior National Team. The yellow short-sleeved cotton shirt has an open green collar and ribbed green sleeve-ends similar to other Brazil exemplars from the late '50s to early 60's. However, instead of the typical CBD (Confederação Brasileira de Desportos) crest on the front, this one has "BRASIL" embroidered in unique yellow letters outlined in green. The letters are arched over five embroidered green stars. We've never handled a Brazil National Team shirt with this rare crest before. Research indicates that it dates to a handful of international friendlies played in 1959. The back has Pelé’s famous number “10” in green. Tagged by Rio-based manufacturer Ceppo, the label reads “Superball” and indicates a size “REG” within the inner collar.
1959 was Pelé’s second full year with Seleção after the proud football nation won its first World Cup title in 1958. The exact match in which this shirt was worn is unknown, but it exhibits heavy wear with pilled fabric, frayed numbers, sweat staining and light soiling. The football icon has added his vintage signature on the lower front with the legible Portuguese inscription, "Amigo um abraço do Edson = Pelé" [Friend, a hug from...] in faded black marker.
Provenance: Gifted by Pelé to fellow Brazilian footballer José Guilherme Baldocchi, a center back who played with Pelé on Brazil's triumphant 1970 World Cup squad.
Authentication: Letter of Opinion from MEARS verifying the shirt's specs as being consistent with Brazil jerseys from the period and sized to fit Pelé. Full LOA from PSA/DNA for the autograph and inscription (all in Pelé’s hand).
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