Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
Brazilian soccer superstar Pele was semi-retired when the New York Cosmos club was able to entice him to the game he revolutionized. The Cosmos were part of the North American Soccer League and Pele's addition to the team was viewed as the key to the games success in America. Indeed Pele's three seasons with the Cosmos brought the league much needed publicity and the Brazilian's single name became synonymous with the game. In the wake of the Cosmos success youth leagues sprang up all over America, due in no little part to Pele. In 1977, Pele's final season in New York and the season to which this jersey dates to, the Cosmos won the NASL championship and the 37 year-old again retired to Brazil. Pele's game used Cosmos jersey is in Cosmos green with white collar and sleeve ends. Pele's famous number "10" is on the right chest and the Cosmos logo is on the left. An Umbro label is sewn inside the collar and his number "10" appears in white tackle twill on both shoulders. "PELE" in white tackle twill is sewn on the back above his number "10" in the same material and color. The soccer giant has signed the jersey back just below the numbers in black marker. Overall the jersey shows good game use, looking every inch like it was worn by the greatest soccer player of all-time. There are several abrasions to the body and numerous washings and age has worn the Cosmos logo slightly. A small fleck of white paint is evident on the lower front left side, none of which detracts from this outstanding museum-quality piece from the first wave of American professional soccer. Signed Letter of Authenticity from Cosmos teammate Alfredo Lamas and PSA/DNA.