Brazilian soccer King, Pele Passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Sao Paulo, know how many goals he scored for the New York Cosmos
After learning the news of the former footballer’s demise, social media is flooded with condolences and tributary messages as fans of the late player are recalling him.
For those who are unversed, let us tell you, Pelé joined New York Cosmos for financial reasons. The late player played his last game for Santos back in October, 1974.
Pele New York Cosmos Football Team Career Goals And Stats
The last match of Pelé was against Associação Atlética Ponte Preta, which Santos won 2-0.
During that game, Pelé left spectators and even the referee and his own teammates stunned when he suddenly grabbed the ball with both hands.
At the time, he got to his feet and even whipped off his shirt and completed a lap of pitch to a standing ovation, which was his unique way to say goodbye when more than 20,000 Santos applauded enthusiastically from the stands.
After leaving football, the player went on to lead a quiet simple life with his wife and 2 sons. But soon enough, he was forced to rethink his retirement plans as he himself recalled in his biography Pelé: A Importância do Futebol, which was published in 2013.
For those who aren’t sure, let us tell you, Pelé lost practically every single one of 41 properties that he had invested in.
The 3-time World Champion from Brazil was caught up in a critical situation when he went bankrupt, which led him to get back to playing.
As a result, the then 33 year old Pelé moved to the US after a British businessman, Clive Toye convinced him to do so. Clive was a shareholder at the New York Cosmos.
He was trying his hardest to persuade O Rei since 1971, however, the Brazilian player has been refusing offers from Real Madrid and Juventus. At the time, Pelé stated, ” Never… NEVER will I play for another club, other than Santos.”
Though Pelé repeatedly rejected Toye’s idea, the latter kept on insisting on him as he met the former several times in 1971 to 1974, when Pelé was travelling around the world.
For those who are curious to know about Pelé’s triumphant debut, let us tell you, the former player was in Brussels when he realized his financial ruin after which he came across Clive Toye’s in the lobby at the G.B. Motor Inn Hotel.
Despite everything, he still thought to turn the offer down again but this time, Clive managed to convince him after the former listened to Cosmos’ offer.
At the time, the New Yorkers offered him a sum of $2.8 million, which is the highest salary and no one has ever received this much sum. The highest pay of that time was received by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which was $450,000 yearly.
Pele ended his first season with the club with five goals and four assists in nine games. He improved on those figures in his second season, finishing with 15 goals and 19 assists in 24 games and in 1977, his final year with the Cosmos, he scored 17 goals and led his team to the NASL title.
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