When Pele, the king of football, visited Singapore

Retired football legends (from left) Eric Cantona, Pele and Cobi Jones at the launch of the re-turfed football pitch at the Singapore Sports School in March 2011. PHOTO: ST FILE
Pele, then 34, was mobbed by young fans who waited almost an hour at Paya Lebar airport on his first trip to Singapore in 1974. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE – As the world mourns the death of Pele, it is undeniable the Brazilian great left an indelible imprint on the sport.

His influence and fame crossed global borders, as far-reaching as Singapore – more than 16,000km from his birthplace in Tres Coracoes, Brazil.

One of those impacted was former Singapore international Shahfiq Ghani, 30, who was named Man of the Match by Pele after an S-League match between Courts Young Lions and Geylang United on his final visit in 2011.

Shahfiq, who scored twice as the Young Lions won 3-2, vividly recalls Pele’s five words to him: “Brilliant, son. Keep working hard.”

The 30-year-old still keeps a New York Cosmos jersey autographed by Pele and Eric Cantona, a souvenir from that game at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

“I will remember that line forever. When I started to play football, the first few names we mentioned were always Pele or Maradona,” said Shahfiq, who played for Hougang United from 2018 to 2022.

“I watched videos of Pele at the World Cup from a young age in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He was a big influence for the younger generation of footballers back then.”

Singapore skipper Hariss Harun, the Young Lions captain then, said: “It was surreal for me to meet a legend of world football. Pele will always be remembered and live on in our memories and be spoken of for generations to come.”

During that trip, Pele also visited football merchandiser Weston Corporation’s store at Queensway Shopping Centre. Owner Rajbir Singh Chopra recalls the legend’s humility.

“It was a historic moment and I felt as though he had a godly energy surrounding him,” he said.

“He was down to earth and made sure to shake everyone’s hands.”

Retired American footballer Cobi Jones (first row, from left), Brazil legend Pele (centre) and former Manchester United star Eric Cantona (right) posing for photographs with fans in March 2011. PHOTO: ST FILE

Pele made five separate visits here. His first was in November 1974, four years after his third and final World Cup win.

Constantly mobbed by young fans, awestruck to see him for the first time, he gave coaching lessons during his three-day stay.

The Singapore stop was the third leg of a Far East tour, arranged by beverage giant Yeo Hiap Seng.

In 1979, Pele revisited the Republic with his club New York Cosmos to play a friendly with the Singapore team at the National Stadium.

Unfortunately, fans were disappointed as the injured Pele was sidelined as the Cosmos won 4-1.

Pele conducting a training session at the Toa Payoh stadium during his three-day visit. PHOTO: ST FILE

Singapore would have to wait 22 years for Pele’s next appearance. He arrived in December 2001 and attended an annual S-League fan party.

Mr Rasid Mohd Noor, a blind S-League fan, meets his lifelong idol, Pele, at the annual S League fan party at Planet Hollywood in 2001. PHOTO: ST FILE

In 2006, Pele was invited to Singapore again as part of a publicity event. He met youth netballers and footballers from the Singapore Sports School.

Students from the Singapore Sports School in Woodlands rubbed shoulders with Brazil legend Pele in 2006. He signed autographs and posed for pictures. PHOTO: ST FILE

On his last visit in March 2011, Pele arrived with other retired footballers Eric Cantona and Cobi Jones as part of the New York Cosmos’ promotional tour in collaboration with electronics and furniture retailer Courts.

Besides attending the S-League game between the Young Lions and Geylang, they also visited the Sports School.

There, they met some budding footballers, including current Lions defender Irfan Fandi, eldest son of Singapore icon Fandi Ahmad.

Pele shaking hands with Irfan Fandi, son of former Lions captain Fandi Ahmad, during his visit to the Singapore Sports School in March 2011. PHOTO: ST FILE
Simran Saach Singh, 16, had his shirt signed by Pele during half-time of an S-League match between Courts Young Lions and Geylang United on March 3, 2011. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

While Irfan does not remember much from then, saying “it was just a handshake and I was still very young”, he added: “Pele is a big icon and as I grew up, I got to know more about him. It’s a sad day for the footballing world.”

The Sports School’s discipline master Shafiee Barahim remembers being thrilled while interacting with the stars.

Shafiee, now 47, said: “The staff were more excited than the students as they were very popular in our generation – especially Pele as a Brazilian player, and Cantona who played for Manchester United.”

He added: “Pele is someone that I think the world will remember, and it’s disappointing Brazil did not manage to go far in the last World Cup he witnessed.”

  • Additional reporting by Kolette Lim
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It is undeniable that Pele left an indelible imprint on the sport. His influence and fame crossed global borders, as far-reaching as Singapore – more than 16,000km from his birthplace in Tres Coracoes, Brazil.

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