Football legend Pelé is regarded as one of the greatest athletes at the right time and one of the most important people of the 20th century. But Netflix sources New documentary “Pelé” argues that he could have exceeded his influence during the decades that the country was under military rule.
After making his debut as a professional striker for Santos FC at the age of 16, Pelé had an amazing ability to score goals.A world record 1,279 during his professional career) and his precise, vigorous and elegant and comfortable playing style led him and Brazil to the top of football’s world rankings. It became so popular that in 1961 The Brazilian government has declared it an “official national treasure” To prevent him from joining the football team in another municipality.
Pelé had considerable influence over his Brazilian peers and football fans around the world, but as seen in the film directed by David Trenhorn, he avoided using this influence to influence the country’s increasingly dangerous political situation.
It all began in 1964, when a democratically elected government was overthrown in a military coup that began a brutal dictatorship of 21 years under a succession of unworthy presidents appointed by the military. During the dictatorship, civil rights were severely restricted and dissidents subjected to brutal persecution with hundreds killed and thousands tortured. In addition, indigenous people have been subjected to genocide policies.
The most brutal period was the presidency of Emilio Garrastu Medici, who assumed power in 1969 and, besides intensifying atrocities against opponents, also attacked foreign journalists and diplomats. Pelé certainly did not approve of the Medici, but, as of the documentary, he did not speak against her either.
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His silence, according to the new Netflix film, disappointed many Brazilians and some of their peers. “For a lot of people, they will see what they did on the field and more than what they did outside of them,” said journalist Paulo Cesar Vasconcellos. “Off the field she is characterized by that moment in the history of (and) her political neutrality, which she would count against her.”
When the Netflix team asked Pelé if life changed after the 1964 coup, he replied: “No, football continued the same way. There were noticeable differences, certainly not for me. “
Asked how his attitude changed with the deteriorating dictatorship, Pelé instinctively stated in the film: “My door was always open. Everyone knows this. And that includes things when things were really bad. “
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During the documentary, Pelé’s former partner, Paulo Cezar Lima (FKA Caju), said, “I love Pelé, but that doesn’t stop me from criticizing him.” “I felt that his behavior was that of a black man saying ‘Yes sir’, a polite person. This is a criticism I have against him to date, because a statement from Pelé would have helped a lot. ‘
So, why didn’t he speak? Although Pelé’s safety was not guaranteed, he was safer than Medicin Brazil. This is partly due to the fact that the dictatorship recognizes Pelé’s utility as a reinforcement of national morale, but there is also evidence that he may Regime pressured Keep playing In particular, he was investigated by the Medici government in 1971 for possible leftist sympathies, a serious allegation that if he had not been, it could have killed him and disappeared at the hands of state-sanctioned killers.
“Pelé doesn’t like to talk about it, but there were dictatorship messages that said he would be better off if he played in the World Cup,” said his friend Zuka Kafouri in the film.
Pelé said in an earlier interview video used in the film, “I was invited to participate in politics, but to be honest I have no desire to be involved.” “Football is already a big part of my time and ultimately, I don’t understand anything about politics.”
Watch the “Pele” trailer below and watch the movie streaming on Netflix now!
Read the original story ‘Pelé’: why Brazilian football hero didn’t speak out against dictatorship In theWrap
