«Soccer» en or
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Against all expectations, it was across the Atlantic, in the New York club Cosmos, that Pelé, who died on Thursday, ended his career in 1977. This passage of the king in a country where football then rhymed only with oval ball will have opened the eyes of Americans to the game of football, even if they persist in talking about “soccer”.
In the midst of some 75,000 enthusiasts massed in the gallery, there are Mick Jagger, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Elton John or even Diane Keaton, who hang out with Henry Kissinger and Mohammed Ali. But the most absolute icon, man of power and rock star on this October 1, 1977, are all united in one and the same person who steps on the field of Giants Stadium for the last time: Pelé, almost 37 years old , for whom this prestigious match between the two clubs of his life, Santos FC and the New York Cosmos, takes the place of divine twilight. He died Thursday at age 82.
Roberta Flack then Sergio Mendes interpreted the American and Brazilian anthems. The son of President Carter – who had, like his predecessors Nixon and Ford, already received the «Roi» at the White House – opened the ceremony with a statement signed by the Head of State, in expression of America’s gratitude. Muhammad Ali shed a tear. The stands kept chanting «Love ! Love ! Love !», echoing the ecumenical speech of the hero of the evening at the microphone, also in tears, before going to register with a beautiful free kick the 1,281st and last career goal credited to his unrivaled legend. After half-time, when he changed his shirt to finish the match in the colors of Santos, his hometown and his first club, a downpour ter
