Pelé: Football's Enduring King and Humanitarian Icon

0:00 Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today we're embarking on, well, an extraordinary journey. We're peeling back the layers of a life that didn't just participate in a sport, but utterly transformed it. That's right, we're talking about the very heart and soul of the beautiful game and the singular figure who for generations has been synonymous with its essence. Prepare to immerse yourself in the compelling story of a true global legend whose impact resonated far, far beyond the emerald green of the football pitch.

0:29 Yeah. And our mission on this deep dive, it's really to transcend the mirror statistics and, you know, the highlight reels. We're aiming to understand the profound, multifaceted impact this individual had. Both on and off. The field, exactly, both on and off the field. And to illuminate how his monumental legacy continues to shape the world's most popular sport in ways that are still so evident today, you'll grasp precisely why he wasn't just a great player. He is and remains universally hailed as the king.

0:57 OK, let's begin them. Let's trace his very first steps all the way back to his humble beginnings. I mean, imagine being born into stark poverty in a small, unassuming Brazilian town called Tres Corzones back in 1940. This was the earliest chapter in the life of Edson Arantes Dunasamento, a story that would really come to define triumph over adversity. And what's particularly fascinating, I think, about his birth name, Edson, is its origin. It was a direct tribute to the American inventor Thomas Edison.

1:29 Really. I didn't know that. Apparently it was given because, quite remarkably, electricity had only just arrived in his remote hometown. Wow, that's quite a detail. It's a wonderfully poignant detail, isn't it? A nod to technological progress woven right into his identity and his world famous nickname, Pele, surprisingly wasn't something he earned. You know, through breathtaking goals or masterful plays on the pitch. No, no. Instead, it was just a casual moniker that emerged during his school days, apparently a mispronunciation of a local goalkeeper's name, Belay, which he'd accidentally distorted.

2:03 So it just stuck. It just stuck. Despite initially disliking it, the name stuck, destined to echo across continents. But the beautiful game, the sport he would come to utterly dominate, well, it was truly in his blood. Right, his father. Exactly. His father, Juan Ramos de Nascimento, known as Dondino, was himself a minor league professional player and he meticulously taught both his sons, Pele and his brother Zoka, the intricate nuances of the game. So they were practicing constantly. Constantly, for hours in the streets, dusty fields, often with makeshift footballs.

2:38 You know, sock stuff with rags or even grapefruits. Amazing. And Zoka, his brother, actually also went on to play professionally for Santos, the same club where Pele would make his indelible mark. So you can really see the bedrock for his greatness wasn't laid in some grand Academy. Not at all. It was right there in the family home, passed down, shaped by, well, sheer passion and ingenuity born from poverty. It's an incredible starting point. And what's truly captivating is just how swiftly this immense raw talent burst forth from those incredibly humble roots.

3:13 I mean, it wasn't a gradual, years long ascent. It was explosive. Yeah, it happened fast. Really fast. He joined the renowned Brazilian club Santos at the remarkably young age of just 15. Just think about that for a second. 15 stepping into professional football. Yeah, the demands of that world. He made his senior debut for the club in 1956 and his impact, well, it was immediate, undeniable. This wasn't a slow build like we often see, even with really promising young athletes. Right years in youth teams, usually.

3:43 Exactly years before they break into the first squad. Instead, Pale was just a natural prodigy who stood out instantly right from his very first appearances. His skill set, that innate ability to control the ball, his vision, his understanding, the gate was all there, remarkably fully formed, almost from the moment he stepped onto a professional pitch. That's incredible. This early emergence is such a critical component of his narrative. It highlights a talent so undeniable, so utterly compelling, that it just couldn't be contained or held back.

4:12 He didn't really have the luxury of time to slowly develop. He was ready to conquer the world almost as soon as he could kick a ball properly. It really speaks to a level of precocity that is, well, it's rarely, if ever seen in any sport. It forced established players, coaches, everyone to just acknowledge his exceptionalism immediately. Yeah. This kind of raw, undeniable talent appearing so early, it fundamentally challenges our traditional notions of how athletes develop, you know, the whole scouting process.

4:41 It proves that some gifts are simply innate and just need the chance to flourish. That rapid ascent is truly astonishing, and it leads us directly, doesn't it, to one of the most incredible chapters of his early career World Cup. Exactly. Just two years after making a senior debut with Santos at the unbelievably tender age of only 17 years old, he earned A coveted spot on Brazil's national team for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. 17 on the biggest stage. Just pause for a moment and consider the immense pressure.

5:10 A teenager competing on the biggest international stage imaginable, with the hopes of an entire nation resting on his young shoulders. And he wasn't merely there as like a hopeful youngster or a fringe player. No, he was central. Absolutely instrumental, he became the Tournaments Breakthrough star after missing the first two group matches due to injury. He just exploded onto the scene. Scored a hat trick against France in the semi final. A hat trick in a World Cup semi at 17? Yeah. And then in the final against the host nation Sweden, he delivered this iconic performance, scoring 2 pivotal goals, including that breathtaking lob over a defender followed by a volley into the net.

5:49 I remember seeing footage of that unbelievable skill. Brazil triumphed 52A dominant victory, and this performance didn't just secure the World Cup for his team, it instantly cemented his individual legacy on the globe stage. He became the youngest World Cup goal scorer ever, a record that still stands today. Still stands. And he remains the only 17 year old to score in a World Cup final. I mean, this kind of immediate, decisive impact at the absolute pinnacle of the sport is almost unfathomable.

6:17 It really is. It speaks volumes about not only his, you know, precocious talent, but also his remarkable composure, his mental fortitude, his ability to deliver when it mattered most under the most immense global pressure. It was a true, true coming out party for a generational talent. And expanding on that point, while his World Cup journey was marked by these immense highs, it wasn't without significant challenges too, and periods of immense frustration. Right, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Not at all, which ultimately serves to highlight his extraordinary resilience and unwavering determination.

6:50 Although Brazil clinched the title again in 1962, in Chile, injuries unfortunately severely restricted his contribution after only the second group game. So he didn't play much in that win. Very limited role. It was a victory, yes, but one achieved largely without his full impact on the field. Then the 1966 World Cup in England proved to be a particularly brutal experience for him. Oh, I've heard about this. He was targeted. Relentlessly targeted by opponents, subjected to repeated and often vicious fouls by defenders just desperate to stop him, the officiating at the time offered very little protection to skillful players like him.

7:25 So they could just kick him. Pretty much. He was effectively kicked out of the tournament, sustaining injuries that forced him off the field. It was a stark demonstration of the physical toll his brilliance exacted from opponents. That's awful. But then his performance just four years later in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico completely solidified his position as arguably the greatest player of all time. OK, 1970 the legendary team. That's the one. He was named Player of the Tournament, leading what many football purists and historians consider the most iconic and perhaps the greatest football team ever assembled.

8:01 Just a collection of legends. It wasn't just a collection of individuals, it was like a Symphony of talent, a fluid attacking unit featuring icons like Carlos Alberto Jerzino, Tostao Rivellino. Together they delivered this breathtaking display of Yoga Bonito, the beautiful game throughout the tournament culminating in a resounding 41V over Italy in the final. It wasn't just a win, it was as a state then. It was a master class and collective brilliance orchestrated by their king, displaying a level of attacking football that just captivated the world and set completely new standards for the sport.

8:38 It was a testament to his enduring quality, his leadership, and his ability to rise above those pass adversities to reclaim his unparalleled status on the world stage. That 1970 team didn't just win, they redefine how the game could be played, and he was central to that. Absolutely central. So that 1970 team really showcases genius, and it makes you wonder what precisely made him so great beyond just his incredible ability to find the back of the net. You know, he was relatively short for a center forward, standing at about 5 foot 7 inches.

9:08 Yeah, not imposing physically in terms of height. Right, which might seem like a disadvantage, especially as the game got more physical. Yet he more than compensated for any perceived lack of height with this extraordinary array of skills that made him uniquely potent. Like what specifically? Well, he possessed incredible proficiency with both feet, meaning he was equally dangerous taking shots or passing with his left or his right. He had blistering pace that allowed him to just burst past defenders.

9:37 And the strength too, right? He wasn't easily pushed off the ball. Immense strength in his core and legs despite his lean build enabling him to hold off challenges and a truly remarkable almost gravity defying heading ability. His vertical leap and timing were so exceptional he could out jump much taller defenders. So a real aerial threat despite his height. Definitely. He was truly an all in one package. You could argue he was the best dribbler, the most prolific goal scorer, and the most creative playmaker all rolled into one singular talent.

10:06 He roamed freely across the field, kind of defying the rigid tactical systems common back then where players largely stuck to fixed positions. A free roll? Essentially, yeah. Pele was a true maestro, creating magic seemingly at will from any position, often dropping deep to collect the ball, drifting wide, making incisive runs through the middle. And here's a crucial point to remember about the era he played in. They're fouling. Exactly. Skillful players were routinely fouled, often brutally, just to try and stop them.

10:37 And referees back then were frequently reluctant to punish offenders with cards or send them off. You have defenders much more license. Far more license to commit egregious fouls, especially against attacking players. So his consistent achievements, his ability to not just perform but dominate, are even more remarkable when you consider that brutal, less protected context in which he thought. Yeah, he wasn't just battling opponents, but also the well, the nature of the games officiating at the time.

11:03 Yet he found ways to adapt, to evade and to continue to excel. It's. Extraordinary. And this brings us to a fascinating question. How do you truly define greatness in football when it extends beyond simply finding the net? Because, as you hinted, many of his most famous, most unforgettable moments weren't even goals. Right. Those moments of sheer genius. Exactly. These moments where the ball didn't even cross the line are etched into football history just as deeply as any goal, highlighting his extraordinary creativity and flair.

11:35 Take, for instance, his audacious attempt from the halfway line against Czechoslovakia in the 1970 World Cup. Oh yeah, the long range effort. He spotted the goalkeeper off his line and launched a shot from just inside his own half. The ball flew with incredible power and trajectory, narrowly missing the goal, believing everyone in the stadium and watching at home just gasping in awe at the sheer audacity and vision. Incredible awareness. Or consider the outrageous dummy he pulled off against the Uruguayan goalkeeper Mizurkovich, also in 1970.

12:07 In a lightning fast sequence with Mazurkovich rushing out, Paley feigned taking the ball, let it run past him and the keeper. Then ran around the other side. Exactly. Ran around the other side of Mazurkovich to retrieve it, almost scoring into an empty net. A moment of pure improvisational genius. Unbelievable cheek. And of course, there's that legendary, powerful downward header that was somehow miraculously saved by England's Gordon Banks in the same tournament save, often hailed as the save of the century Banks save.

12:36 Yeah, iconic because of its. Sheer difficulty and Banks is incredible agility. These moments demonstrate that his artistry transcended mere goal scoring. He didn't just play the game, he fundamentally innovative it, challenging existing norms. He changed. The possibility? Absolutely. His artistic flair, that unique blend of raw speed, explosive agility, and unparalleled creativity. His signature dribbles like the dribble of the three fingers, where he'd weave through defenders with incredible close control.

13:05 And his breathtaking acrobatic finishes, particularly the bicycle kick, which he popularized, he really made. The bicycle kick famous. He truly redefined how. Football was played. He transformed it, making it far more more unpredictable and ultimately far more entertaining for spectators worldwide. It was his genius, his inevitable style that popularized the very idea of football as the beautiful game or jogo Benito, a phrase now synonymous with the sport itself. He elevated. It to an art form he really did he.

13:33 Elevated football from just a competitive sport to a global art form, inspiring generations of players and fans to see the game not just as a contest, but as a canvas for expression and that. Artistry, as you said, wasn't just on the international stage. It was honed and perfected over an incredible 18 years at Santos. 18 years. At one club, yeah, the Brazilian. Club he joined as a teenager. During that phenomenal period he became their all time leading goal scorer, A testament not only to his sustained brilliance but also his unwavering loyalty to the club that gave him his start.

14:07 Loyalty you. Just don't see much anymore. Not really. And this wasn't just a local affair or a regional success story. His presence single handedly elevated Santos to become a global footballing phenomenon. He led them to an astonishing 6 Brazilian league titles. Six titles. Including an. Unprecedented. Five in a row from 1961 to 1965? That's just mind boggling consistency. 5 in a row. Is incredible dominant on top of. That he guided them to two consecutive victories in the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963, which is South America's highly coveted, notoriously difficult to win version of the Champions League.

14:45 The biggest? Prize in South American club football? Exactly. And because of him, Santos wasn't just a club playing domestic football, it was an international touring sensation. They embarked on countless exhibition tours across Europe, Africa, Asia, traveling the world to showcase his breathtaking skills, captivating audiences wherever they went. So Santos. Became a global brand because of him totally. These tours were pivotal in extending football's reach far beyond its traditional strongholds, often playing against national teams or top clubs and drawing massive crowds.

15:17 His presence alone made this club truly global, not just for their on field success, but for their pioneering role in bringing the excitement of Brazilian football to every corner of the planet and stepping. Back looking at that global impact, his most perhaps underappreciated impact might be his transformative role in making football a mainstream sport in the United states right the. Cosmos year exactly. A country historically dominated by American football, basketball, baseball. Before his arrival, soccer was largely, you know, a regional curiosity in America, passionate but relatively niche followings in certain ethnic communities, kind of on the.

15:55 Fringes, very much so. But in 1975, at 34 years old, he made the monumental decision to come out of retirement and sign with the New York Cosmos in the nascent North American Soccer League, the NASL. The impact was immediate, profound and utterly unprecedented. The numbers were. Crazy. Weren't they just staggering? Consider this, in the season before he arrived, the Cosmos's largest home crowd was just over 8000 people, 8000. OK, his debut. Match, however, drew an incredible 10 million television viewers, a record at the time for a soccer game in the US.

16:29 It just showed the massive curiosity and star power. He commanded 10 million. Viewers for his debut Wow and the attendance. Figures at their home games at Giants Stadium just soared. By his final season in 1977, the Cosmos averaged nearly 43,000 fans per home game across 16 matches 43. 1000 average with three. Individual games drawing over 70,000, including an astounding 80,000 for his farewell match, an exhibition against his old club Santos 80. Thousand for his farewell. Unbelievable. And his star power was so immense that it inspired other contemporary legends of the game, Germany's iconic Franz Beckenbauer.

17:06 Beckenbauer. Came over the Netherlands. Visionary Johann Kreuf, his former Brazil teammate Carlos Alberto, they all followed him to the NASL. So he started. A trend he. Absolutely. Did this influx of global talent laid the crucial groundwork for soccer's eventual rise and increase popularity in North America? It cultivated a new generation of fans and paved the way for the professional leagues and the passion we see for the sport in the US today. So you can really. Draw a Direct Line from him to where US Soccer is now.

17:35 He was. Undeniably the most prevalent figure in sparking soccer's initial surge in the modern United States, he proved that with enough star power, any sport can capture the American imagination. It's truly. Impossible, then, to discuss his monumental impact without expanding on his influence far beyond the football pitch, because he was genuinely a global ambassador for humanity, leveraging his fame for profound social good. He understood. His platform, absolutely. Perhaps one of the most astonishing stories, though often cited as a legend, maybe partly apocryphal, is that in 1969 he is said to have stopped a civil war in Nigeria, stopped a civil.

18:12 War, the Biafran. War, a brutal conflict claimed nearly 1,000,000 lives over 3 harrowing years. Numerous diplomats, peacekeepers, emissaries had tried in vain to achieve a lasting truce. Yet a remarkable 48 hour ceasefire was reportedly put in place specifically for him and his Santos team to play an exhibition match in Lados just for a. Football match? Can you imagine? The sheer power, the global reverence that would command warring factions to lay down their arms, even for a brief moment, just to witness a football match.

18:43 It speaks volumes about his transcending influence. A Testament. To the unifying power of sport, embodied by one man, Exactly. And this wasn't an isolated incident of his global reach. In 1994, he was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, A prestigious role that formally recognizes individuals with incredible influence who commit to contributing to World Peace and development. So stopping. A war, whether literally or symbolically, it's truly. A unique and profound item on any individual's resume, let alone in athletes, it showcases how he consciously leveraged his platform for the greater good, illustrating a form of sports diplomacy that is virtually unparalleled in history, using his universal appeal to bridge divides and foster moments of shared humanity and what's.

19:29 Truly fascinating here is how his personal journey, you know, as a poor black child from Brazil, intertwined so deeply with his wider social and cultural impact, making him such a powerful symbol of hope and progress. Yeah, his. Background is key, absolutely. His meteoric rise to stardom in the late 1950s came at a time when Brazil, despite its vibrant culture, was still grappling with deeply entrenched racial and economic barriers. It's crucial to remember that Brazil was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, only in 1888.

19:59 So the legacy. Was still very present. Very present. The legacy of racism and prejudice continued to vex the country, both in society and, notably, in sport. Consider this stark historical context. When Brazil lost the World Cup on home soil in 1950, the black goalkeeper Molesir Barbosa Nachimento was unfairly scapegoated for the defeat the American. Naso exactly. A national trauma that effectively ended his career in shame and served as a chilling warning for other Black players. And just four years later, in 1954, a top football official actually made the astonishing discriminatory claim that Brazil couldn't win a World Cup with black players on the squad.

20:40 Unbelievable. Despite the talent available, despite the. Wealth of talent. So Paley's ascent to global stardom as a black man, leading Brazil to its first World Cup victory in 1958 and transforming them into a footballing powerhouse, fundamentally and emphatically change that pervasive, harmful narrative. He shattered. That stereotype completely. He became a powerful symbol against racism, a beacon of hope and resilience who inspired millions of poor black Brazilians who saw in him the living possibility of overcoming immense odds.

21:09 Defying generations of prejudice, he showed them unequivocally that they were not only capable but equal, and could achieve greatness against all odds that impact. Must have been immense and even. Decades later, long after his playing gaze, his legacy continues to serve as a powerful form of resistance in Brazil, a country still wrestling with significant inequalities. Alarming hunger rates, disproportionate police violence against Black Brazilians, high school dropout rates for black youth. So his.

21:38 Legacy is still relevant to those struggles, very much so. His passing, in particular, spurred A profound moment of collective reflection on these enduring issues, prompting widespread discussions about the Brazil of the past, the Brazil of the present, and what kind of future its citizens truly desire. His life, in essence, became a blueprint for hope and progress, a living testament to challenging and overcoming systemic barriers. His influence. Truly, it seems, was boundless. It wasn't just in serious matters of war and social justice.

22:06 His name even permeated the fabric of pop culture, becoming this ubiquitous symbol of excellence. Yeah, he was. Everywhere he was mentioned. In song lyrics, from local Brazilian tunes to international hits like Proz's Ghetto Superstar Remember that featured The Line? I move in the dark like Pele, Yeah. I remember that this. Really highlights how he transcended his sport, becoming a household name globally, synonymous with excellence, inspiration, and a certain kind of boundless magic. It's exceedingly rare for an athlete to reach that level of cultural penetration where their name becomes part of the wider lexicon, instantly recognizable and diverse contexts.

22:45 A true. Cultural touchstone, that's precisely. What he achieved, he became a Global Icon. OK, now let's unpack one of the most debated and frankly fascinating aspects of his incredible career. The sheer number of goals he scored. Yes. The goal debate. It's a figure. That has sparked significant dispute and endless discussion among football fans, statisticians, historians alike. Guinness World Records, for example, places his career total at an astonishing 12,279, goals 1270. 9 That's the number of people often hear, but critics.

23:17 Argue pretty vehemently that this figure is inflated by hundreds of goals scored in friendly matches, exhibition games, even practice sessions, which they believe shouldn't count towards an official tally, right? The definition. Of official is key here. Exactly. This discrepancy largely stems from the different ways football was organized and recorded back in his era. Unlike today, where every official match is meticulously cataloged, friendly matches often held significant importance through large crowds served as vital income sources for clubs.

23:47 They were part of the overall fixture list, kind of blurring the lines between official and unofficial, the context. Was different. Very different. Other sources aiming for a more strictly official count, focusing on competitive league and cup games, put his overall total closer to, say, 757 to 767 goals. Still a massive. Number 0. Absolutely. But then Santos, his longtime club where he spent the vast majority of his career, strongly claims that his tally for them alone was closer to 1000 goals 1000.

24:17 Goals for one club. If that figure were widely accepted as official competitive goals for a single club, it would make him the highest ever score for a single major club in football history, surpassing modern records. So, as you can see, there's no single universally agreed upon number. The debate continues to rage, adding another layer to the mystique and unparalleled nature of his career. It really is a. Testament to the challenge of comparing eras and the evolution of football record keeping differently.

24:47 But it's true. The precise number varies depending on the methodology, but regardless of the exact figure, when we look at his official career goals across both club and international play, the numbers are still absolutely staggering and they invite fascinating comparisons to modern legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. OK, let's. Contextualize some of those numbers and then right? Across his entire career, the widely accepted figure for official competitive goals is around 780-6780. Six, yeah, for.

25:15 Comparison. Lino Mimesi has 793 and Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the top spot with 819. So he's right there in that elite, elite company despite playing in an arrow with arguably fewer official club games than modern football. Still right? Near the very top? Exactly. When we break it down to just the club level, he notched 709 goals, which puts him just slightly ahead of Ronaldo's 701 and Messi's 695. Again, remarkable consistency, the very top for nearly two decades sustained. Excellence. Absolutely.

25:48 However, when we look at single season bests, his incredible tally of 66 goals in a season is a monumental achievement only talked by Messi's truly astonishing 73 goals in a single calendar year, which was, you know, achieved in a different tactical landscape. Still 60. Six goals is phenomenal. Phenomenal. Now let's turn our attention to the international stage, where he truly shined and arguably set himself apart. He scored 77 goals from Brazil in just 92 matches 77. And 92, that's wow. Yeah, this gives him an incredible strike ratio of .8, four goals per game, meaning he scored nearly a goal every single game for his country, maintaining an astonishing level of potency against the best national teams in the world.

26:29 That ratio. Is much higher than the modern crates, isn't it significantly? Higher higher than Ronaldo's .6 and Messi's .56. It just highlights his remarkable efficiency. And while Neymar recently equaled his Brazil record of 77 goals. Yeah, Neymar. Got there, he did. But it's critically important to note that Neymar did so in far more games over 120 matches, which just underscores the sheer efficiency and devastating potency of Pele's international scoring rate that puts it in. Perspective. And then there's the.

26:58 World Cup, the ultimate proving ground in football, where individual brilliance truly merges with national glory. He famously won three World Cup titles, 19581962 and 1973. Nobody else has done that, no other male. Or female player has ever achieved that. It stands as a unique testament to his unparalleled impact on the sport's biggest stage. Leo and Nessie recently joined him as a World Cup winner, but with one title and the. Goals in the World Cup in terms of. World Cup Goals He scored twelve goals in just 14 World Cup games, giving him an extraordinary ratio of .86 goals per game in the tournament, meaning he was consistently delivering crucial goals in the most high stakes environment, almost a.

27:38 Goal a game in the World Cup, pretty much. Messi, for context, has scored 13 World Cup goals but in more games giving him a ratio of .5 goals per game. Cristiano Ronaldo has 8 World Cup goals with a ratio of .36. So his world. Cup record is just exceptional these world. Cup statistics, particularly his three championship titles across different eras and with varying team compositions, remain the cornerstone of his irrefutable claim to being the king and the greatest of all time, an argument that extends beyond mere personal tallies to encompass team success at the highest level.

28:12 So. After crunching those numbers and revisiting those legendary moments, the question inevitably arises, who truly is the greatest of all time? The GOAT, as fans so passionately love to debate the eternal question. Football. Enthusiasts across the globe love to pit him against other legendary figures like Argentina's Diego Maradona and modern Titans like Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi. Each has their fervent supporters citing incredible individual stats, iconic moments, unique styles.

28:42 Everyone has. Their case to make? Absolutely. But for many, the sheer undeniable weight of his three World Cup titles, an achievement unmatched by any other player in history, coupled with his pioneering role in elevating the sport globally, really sets him apart. It's not just about the goals or the individual brilliance, spectacular as they were. It's about the era defining dominance, the way he single handedly changed perceptions of what football could be and the sheer scale of his success on the biggest stage the three world.

29:11 Cups argument is very powerful it really. Is, and what's particularly striking and truly speaks volumes about his character, is his graciousness towards other legends, even while he was battling severe illness in his final days. Yeah, his final. Messages were quite something after. Lionel Messi finally won his first World Cup in 2022, a victory many considered the crowning achievement of Messi's illustrious career. Pele publicly congratulated him from his hospital bed, stating with a men's class that messy trajectory deserved it such class.

29:41 Yeah, especially given the constant comparisons. Immense. Respect. He also praised Killian and Bapa's incredible hatchet performance in that same final and acknowledged Morocco's historic campaign, demonstrating his deep love for the game and its evolving story, celebrating its continued capacity for greatness. He loved the game. Itself, He really did. He even fondly remarked after Argentina's dramatic win that certainly Diego Maradona smiling now. A beautiful, poignant tribute to a fellow legend with whom he shared a complex, often competitive but ultimately respectful relationship.

30:14 That's lovely. This speaks volumes about his spirit, his sportsmanship, and his pure, unadulterated love for the game itself. Rather than just his own personal accolades or the endless GOAT comparisons. He truly embodied the spirit of football, embracing its past, celebrating its present, and championing its future. It's inspiring to hear about his sportsmanship, and it leads us directly to how he channeled that immense spirit and global platform even after his playing days concluded right his work.

30:42 After football, Even after. Officially retiring from playing professional football in 1977, he certainly didn't step away from his immense platform or the global spotlight. Instead, he intelligently and wholeheartedly channeled his fame and influence, the causes he deeply believed in, showcasing A commitment to humanitarian work that truly defined his later life. He knew the. Power he wielded a poignant. Example of this came after he famously scored his one thousandth goal in a televised interview.

31:10 Amidst all the euphoria, he declared, think about the little children. A simple. Powerful message and this. Powerful sentiment wasn't just a fleeting remark, it became a guiding principle for his extensive humanitarian work that followed. He dedicated himself to a wide range of critical issues, spanning from advocating for World Peace to promoting international children's rights and tirelessly working towards poverty alleviation around the globe using his. Status for good he consciously. Transformed his athletic greatness into a formidable force for social good, using his powerful voice for the voiceless and focusing on the most vulnerable in society, proving that a true king leads by example both on and off the field, and that truly.

31:53 Highlights a profound understanding of legacy. And to your point, this raises an important question how does his invaluable work continue to this day, building directly on the foundation he's so passionately laid? Is there an? Active legacy there is. In 2018, while he was still alive and actively involved, he launched the Paley Foundation, it's AUS based 5O1C3 nonprofit organization. Its core mission is singularly focused on preserving his humanitarian legacy and ensuring his charitable actions remain active and impactful, working to generate positive change in the ongoing fight for youth education and the crucial battle against poverty and hunger worldwide.

32:30 So the foundation. Carries on his work. What does it focus on? Well, the. Foundation has several key initiatives. 1 crucial aspect is youth education. They strive to increase literacy rates, particularly in Brazil and other developing regions, believing deeply that education is the fundamental key to social development and creating a more just and equitable society, empowering the next generation. Education. Is the key makes sense another. Vital component is inclusion through sport. The Foundation recognizes sport is an incredibly powerful tool for promoting equality, fostering social integration and silling respect for differences, truly embodying his belief in the beautiful games, unifying power using.

33:09 Football for social good? Exactly. Throughout his life, he ardently supported many initiatives that use sports activities as a means for social development and, crucially, as a tool to help steer poor children away from crime and violence, offering them a path to discipline, teamwork and hope. Therefore, the Paley Foundation actively advocates for and funds initiatives that promote sport to quite literally save lives, using the universal language of football to build a better future for underserved communities.

33:41 That's a. Powerful mission and beyond. His direct charitable work, his influence, is also profoundly seen in the playing styles of today's footballing greats like Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, all of whom have openly drawn inspiration from his unique blend of technique, athleticism and that inevitable showmanship he brought to the pitch. You can see. Traces of him in modern players? Absolutely. And his early success as a teenager also spurred a global emphasis on youth development in football, leading clubs worldwide to invest heavily in nurturing emerging talents from young age.

34:11 Recognizing the immense untapped potential that he first so dramatically demonstrated, his legacy truly serves as an enduring blueprint for excellence and social responsibility. His impact? Is truly immeasurable, isn't it? I mean from popularizing the sport globally and elevating it to a worldwide phenomenon, to fundamentally redefining what it means to be an athlete, a figure capable of inspiring hope, bridging divides, and actively working for a better world. He transcended. The sport he's not.

34:39 Just a statistic in a record book, a name on a list of goal scores, or even just a three time World Cup winner. He is and forever will be an immortal symbol of the beautiful game itself, embodying its purest form and at the greatest potential for joy, unity, and social change. Well, we've journeyed through the incredible, almost unbelievable life of a true legend today. From his incredibly humble beginnings in a small Brazilian town, overcoming immense poverty and societal barriers, to his unparalleled dominance on the world stage, capturing 3 World Cup titles.

35:12 Amazing. Arc and his. Profound impact far beyond the football pitch. As a global ambassador for peace and social justice, his story is 1 of sheer brilliance, remarkable resilience in the face of adversity and in boundless passion for both the game and humanity. Yeah, and. His life and legacy truly serve as a powerful reminder the true greatness extends far beyond athletic achievement alone. It's fundamentally about inspiring hope and those who have none, breaking down entrenched barriers and courageously using your platform to foster unity and contribute to a better world for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized.

35:46 That point. About using a platform is so key his ability. To literally stop a civil war for a football match, a feat that still baffles diplomats and historians, or to unite a deeply divided nation like Brazil and celebration serves as an incredibly powerful testament to the unique and profound influence that some exceptional individuals can wield. He showed that sport, at its purest, can be a force for immense positive change, a universal language that transcends conflict. It really makes you. Wonder, doesn't it, what other figures across any field of human endeavor have leveraged their unique talents and their global fame to impact humanity on such a profound, diverse and lasting scale?

36:27 This high bar. It truly. Is what does it truly mean to be the king not just of a sport, but of hearts and minds around the globe, shaping cultures and inspiring generations for decades after the final whistle blew? Something to Mull over as you go about your day.