My brother in law was in the World Cup for Yugslavia, specifically Croation. He played against Pele as a defenseman and held him scoreless, though they lost the game.
I really am not a fan of soccer, but he could run about 10.5 in the 100 yard dash at 38 or so, and would steal the basketball from us playing with his foot, and make a basket. He was a helluva athlete. He passed just before christmas. It was his touch with greatness, besides being first cousin with George Cuvalo..changed to Chuvalo for Canadian purposes.
He said that Pele’ was just as great as his legend.
Pele did more than just score.
Probably my most enduring image of him is passing to Carlos Alberto for that goal in the 70 World Cup Final against Italy.