Netflix’s new doc, Pelé, explores a soccer legend’s rise from a teen in Brazil to an internationally famend athlete. Already knowledgeable participant at 16 years previous, Pelé would go on to win three World Cups, fascinating followers and changing into a nationwide hero amid political turmoil in his dwelling nation.

Pelé (actual title: Edson Arantes do Nascimento) formally retired from the game in 1977, with over 35,000 followers attending his final sport in Portland that August. Although he’d not be on the sector, he’d nonetheless stay a pivotal determine in soccer for years to come back; he’d go on to obtain a number of lifetime achievement awards and develop into a sports activities commentator and analyst on TV and radio. (In 2001, the footballer was additionally entangled in a enterprise scandal after his enterprise accomplice was caught for embezzling $4 million.)

A lot of Pelé’s success now’s by way of endorsement offers. (He famously tied his sneakers throughout a 1970 World Cup for a cool $120,000, courtesy of Puma.)

Extra not too long ago, Pelé has additionally confronted a number of well being points, together with issues relating to a hip surgical procedure in February 2020.

Nevertheless it seems to be like he is on the mend, based mostly on his latest exercise on social media. “What an unbelievable feeling!” he captioned a latest Instagram put up relating to the Netflix documentary’s launch. “There are such a lot of reminiscences, friendships and tales to share. I sit up for all of you lastly watching the documentary about my journey…”