Brazil legend, Pele, is set to auction off more than 2,000 items of personal sporting memorabilia, including all three of his World Cup winners’ medals and a one-of-a-kind Jules Rimet trophy.
The 75-year-old former player, who grew up in poverty in Bauru, Sao Paulo before becoming a professional sportsman and being hailed as one of the “greatest football players of all time”, has said he plans to donate a portion of the auction proceeds to a children’s hospital in his home country.
As well as his three World Cup winners medals – from 1958 in Sweden, 1962 in Chile and 1970 in Mexico – items set to go under the hammer include his Jules Rimet Trophy, 1,000th game ball and his 2007 FIFA Presidential Award.
The ex-footballer said he wanted to give his fans the chance to own a piece of footballing history for themselves and “share his story” with future generations.
“I have decided to allow fans and collectors to own a piece of my history as well,” the former Santos forward said.
“I hope they treasure these artefacts and share my story with their children and generations to come.”
The Jules Rimet trophy to be auctioned was created especially for Pele by world football body FIFA and the Mexican government after the 1970 World Cup and has an estimate of $400,000-$600,000.
