Pele's iconic 1958 World Cup final jersey, expected to fetch over 6 million USD, is a highlight of Sotheby's New York's "The Beautiful Game" online auction on 16/7. SIA Photo Match, a specialized authentication service, verified its precise origin through photo-matching.
This jersey has not been publicly displayed for over two decades, according to Sotheby's. It last appeared at a Christie's London sale in 2004, where it sold for 70,505 GBP (approximately 128,000 USD at the time).
 |
The jersey is blue with a V-neck and yellow numbers. *Photo: Sotheby's* |
In the 1958 World Cup final between Sweden and Brazil, a 17-year-old Pele scored two goals. Swedish player Sigvard Parling admitted, "When Pele scored, frankly, I felt like applauding". As the final whistle blew, confirming Brazil's victory, Pele collapsed onto the field, overcome with emotion. The match cemented his status as a "king of football" and elevated the iconic number 10 jersey he wore.
The Value reported that for the 1958 World Cup final, Brazil's coaching staff purchased 22 plain blue shirts due to a color conflict with host Sweden's jerseys. Players then cut their national emblems from their yellow shirts and sewed them onto the new ones. Following Brazil's championship victory, Pele presented the jersey to his teammate Dida (Edvaldo Alves de Santa Rosa). In 1993, Dida donated the item to the Edvaldo Alves de Santa Rosa Sports Museum, established by a journalist to honor him.
 |
"King of Football" Pele holding the World Cup trophy in Paris, France, in 2014. *Photo: AFP* |
Pele (1940-2022) was named by Goal magazine as the top player on its list of the 10 greatest in World Cup history. At 17, he achieved three records: youngest World Cup participant, youngest to score a World Cup hat-trick, and youngest to play in a final. The moniker "King of Football" emerged from the 1958 World Cup. Twelve years later, in Mexico, Pele guided Brazil to victory in all 6 matches, clinching the title.
In 4/2023, Michaelis, a leading Portuguese dictionary in Brazil, incorporated Pele's name as an adjective into its online and upcoming print editions. This decision came after a campaign gathered over 125,000 signatures, celebrating his impact on football and broader Brazilian society.
Phuong Linh (according to The Value, Sotheby's)
