the greatness of Edson Arantes do Nascimentobetter known as Pele, has never been a topic of discussion for lovers and connoisseurs of good football. A three-time world champion with Brazil, a tireless goalscorer for Santos and an innumerable history of records are the letter of introduction of o’rei. However, few know that the Brazilian ‘dared’ to reject stratospheric proposals to deploy his football in the “Old Continent”.
Although he is fighting for his life in a hospital in Brazil due to aggressive colon cancer, Pele’s legacy will continue in time. Not only because he managed to be, for several decades, the lord and master of the most popular sport on the planet, but because he influenced the following generations of soccer players.
In fact, stars of the stature of Lionel Messi, Diego Armando Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo or Johan Cruyff have borrowed certain plays from the Brazilian on the pitch. The curious thing is that Pelé never set foot in Europe wearing a club shirt.
The 82-year-old Brazilian star is in palliative care (Photo: AFP)
But this was not due to Pelé’s lack of condition or his lack of ability on the ball. And it is that the 82-year-old star rejected 3 of the most important clubs in Europe for continuing to play in his beloved Santos. Can you guess what they are?
WHICH WERE THE CLUBS THAT PELÉ REJECTED?
Although he never got to put on the skin of a European club, O’Rei himself admitted that there were three big clubs that tried to sign him in his early years. Such entities were: Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United.
REAL MADRID
The most winning club in history and 14-time European monarch tried to get Pelé into its ranks, it is even known that Santiago Bernabéu, legend of the white club and president at that time, tried to convince him up to 3 times. However, the former footballer refused each of the invitations.
The Madrid club tried to sign the 82-year-old former player during the middle of the last century (Photo: AFP)
AC MILAN
Another European giant that pushed O’Rei was Milan from Italy. With 7 Champions Leagues to his credit, the Italian club tried to conquer the former Santos so that he belongs and leads the project in Europe. Sadly for them, he never accepted.
The Milan club tried to sign Pelé, but the Brazilian chose to stay in Brazil (Photo: Getty Images)
MANCHESTER UNITED
“I had offers to play for Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United. But Santos was playing well, I was fine and I didn’t want to leave.” Pelé confessed at the time, making it clear that he was the only one who had the luxury of saying “NO” to the most important clubs on the planet.
The “Red Devils” entity tried to sign the Brazilian during its heyday (Photo: AFP)
MORE ABOUT PELÉ HERE:
WHAT IS THE RECORD OF PELÉ THAT LIONEL MESSI WILL NEVER REACH?
After the achievement of the World Cup in Qatar 2022, Lionel Messi managed to bring back the debate about the “Best player in all history”. Although the man from Rosario can already be named the greatest of all time, there is a Pelé record that can never be surpassed. Can you find out what it is? Well, go to the next LINK.
