Historic Pele Jersey Fetches $4.9 Million at Auction

Pele's Iconic No. 10 Jersey Auctioned

A legendary No. 10 jersey worn by Brazilian football great Pele during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has been sold for an astounding $4.9 million, as announced by the auction house Sotheby's. This jersey symbolizes a pivotal moment in sports history, marking the rise of one of football's all-time greats. At just 17 years old, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, made his mark during the final against Sweden at Rasunda Stadium, scoring two goals that led Brazil to a 5-2 victory and their first World Cup title. This remarkable feat also made Pele the youngest player to score in a World Cup final, a record that has remained unbroken for 68 years.

After the match, Pele gifted the jersey to his teammate Dida, and it stayed within Dida's family for many years. Eventually, it was displayed in a Brazilian museum before being purchased by a private collector in 2004.

A Record-Breaking Sale

Pele's Jersey Just Behind Maradona

The $4.9 million sale price positions this jersey as the second most expensive football jersey ever auctioned, according to Sotheby's. It follows the jersey worn by Argentine football legend Diego Maradona during the controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final, which sold for $9.3 million in 2022. Prior to this auction, the highest amount paid for a piece of Pele memorabilia was $976,000 for a rare trading card from 1958.

Pele's Legacy

Pele - The Icon

Pele's performance in the 1958 World Cup final marked the beginning of a legendary career. He went on to win three FIFA World Cup titles, in 1962 and 1970, a record that remains unmatched by any male player. Pele passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, leaving behind an incredible legacy of over 1,200 career goals, the highest tally in football history.