Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, the Brazillian superstar once visited Leeds and it was a day to remember for those lucky enough to meet the football legend.
And it was a visit which left people wondering - is Pelé a Leeds United fan? The football legend wore a Whites scarf when he visited Asda House in May 2006 to give a motivational talk to staff members and sign copies of his autobiography. The former Santos player won three World Cups with the Brazil national team, a feat no other footballer has achieved. At the time of his death on December 29, he was being treated at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in São Paulo since November 29. He had been battling colon cancer since September 2021.
In a statement released by the hospital, he died at 3.27pm Brazilian time due to local organ failure as a result of his cancer.
2. Pelé in Leeds
Pelé played Corporal Luis Fernandez in 1981 sports war film Escape To Victory, about Allied prisoners of war who are interned in a German prison camp during the Second World War who play an exhibition match of football against a German team. Photo: Jim Moran
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Share your memories of Pelé with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN Photo: Tony Johnson
5. Pelé in Leeds
Check out his name badge! Like he needed any introduction... Photo: Jim Moran
6. Pelé in Leeds
Pelé played in Yorkshire twice during his illustrious career. Both times was against Sheffield Wednesday for his club Santos. He first strode out at Hillsborough in front of 49,058 fans on October 22, 1962. Santos won 4-2. He scored from the penalty spot having had turned 22 just days earlier. The second time was on February 23, 1972. Santos won 2-0. Photo: Tony Johnson