By Parker McKenzie
With a record three World Cups, a world-record 1279 goals in 1363 games and a career that saw him become a national hero in Brazil, Pelé was inarguably one of the greatest players to grace the beautiful game.
While his legacy was cemented long before his death at the age of 82 on 29 December 2022, even in the hills, you can find his influence. At Monbulk Rangers Soccer Club, a hand-signed autobiography is on display, with a message of support for the club inked by the great man himself.
The club’s life member Nick Eagle, who owns the book, said he won it in a club raffle when he was an under-11s player at Monbulk over 30 years ago.
“First-prize that year was the albums signed by Pelé and the second prize was the book. I won both first and second prize, but the decision was made to only let me keep one,” he said.
“Pelé was at a signing in the city and they got them both signed. I was pretty excited by the prize.”
First published in 1990, The Pelé Albums detail with illustrations how a man from Brazil became a global superstar beyond the footballing world.
Mr Eagle said it is great to have a connection between the club and someone who is “considered to be the greatest player of all time.”
“I’ve actually moved to Adelaide now, it’s too far to travel for training now,” he said.
“I’ve been involved in the club for a long time and I’ve done everything from the social and community sides to being Vice President and acting president for a period of time.”
When the club moved to new facilities, Mr Eagle was glad to learn the book had moved with it.
“I made an inquiry about six months ago with a friend of mine who is now on the committee, just to see if it’d actually moved,” he said.
“It’s still got a good presence at the club and I’m thankful people can enjoy it.”
Pelé played most of his career in Brazil, playing 659 competitive games and scoring 643 goals for Santos from 1956 to 1974. He spent the final three seasons of his career, from 1975 to 1977, playing in the United States for New York Cosmos.
Monbulk Rangers President Beau Newman said the club is incredibly lucky to have such a rich part of footballing history.
“What Pelé did for football can’t be put into words, he transformed it from just a kick about the game to as he pointedly dubbed it, the beautiful game,” he said.
“We’ve now got plans in the works for former club players who have gone professional to add to the collection and create a where they’ve come from to where they are now wall.”
Some of those players include former Melbourne Victory players Danny Allsopp and Emily Hulbert, Ryan Scott at Western United and Chris Heckenberg, who plays for South Georgia Tormenta in the United States.
