The world's greatest footballing icon, Pelé, has revealed that his goal against Wales in the quarter finals of the 1958 World Cup was the most important of his glittering career.
In an S4C documentary Pelé 1-0, the Brazilian footballing legend talks about his great debt to Wales and his recollections of the game –the first time he scored for his country in a World Cup.
In an interview with presenter, Gary Slaymaker, Pelé shows his respect for Wales' footballing heroes of 50 years ago. “I knew Wales could defend well and were good on the counter-attack. It was a relief for us, but a tragedy for the game, that John Charles had been injured and could not play,” he says.
Wales lost by one goal – the goal scored by Pelé with 17 minutes to go. This was the only time for Wales to reach the final rounds of the tournament. The programme shows how Wales reached the final stages in the first place and how the team performed so well to get to the last eight. Pelé's goal secured Brazil a place in the semi-finals and, ultimately, success in the final.
Gary Slaymaker interviewed Pelé in Zurich, where some of the Euro 2008 games will be played. He admits that being chosen for the Brazil squad in 1958, aged just 17, was a surprise to him at the time.
“Being able to play was a great experience. I was a little nervous but I didn't carry the huge pressure to perform that rested on the shoulders of experienced players like Didi, Nilton Santos, Zito and Vavá and the brilliant goalkeeper, Gilmar.
“It was a difficult game but I have good memories as I scored the goal that took Brazil to the semi-finals and, eventually, led us to win the Cup. That goal gave me confidence. Wales marked very tightly at the back and I remember getting the ball, turning and squeezing it into the corner of the net. I consider it the most important goal I've ever scored – it gave me the confidence to continue my career.”
Although football has changed a lot in the last 50 years, Pelé believes smaller countries like Wales can still reach the final stages of the World Cup. “There's always scope for the smaller countries without much of a football tradition to reach the final rounds. There's hope for the smaller Asian and African countries and, of course, Cameroon have beaten Brazil in the Olympic Games,” he said.
According to Gary Slaymaker, the story of Wales in the 1958 World Cup is a mixture of heroism, comedy and tragedy. “The story includes heroic performances on the pitch and some awkward incidents off it. It was also an important chapter in the history of football as it was the first time for the world's greatest footballer, Pelé, to be seen on a truly international stage,” said Gary.
© 2010 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales