A huge crowd of twentysomethings waited anxiously on the grounds of the NSHM Knowledge Campus, located in a bylane in Tollygunge, on Tuesday. College students with volunteer badges rushed around importantly, trying to take care of the minor details. The grounds had been covered with posters of different hues and shades, all honouring the achievements of the “King of Football”. At 4 pm, one full hour before the event was due to start, the seats were packed and an air of restive excitement had already enveloped the venue.
This was the Lionel Messi generation, the Cristiano Ronaldo generation. Pele belonged to a land of folklore – of black-and-white grainy YouTube videos, of apocryphal accounts recounted by grandfathers and uncles brimming with nostalgia. Perhaps, it was the sheer novelty factor that had drawn the crowds – the burning curiosity to see a man who had achieved almost mythical status in footballing lore.
Pele, dressed in light blue, staggered up the stairs to the stage, clutching on the shoulders of the dignitaries beside him for support. The big screen set up next to the stage was displaying old footage of Pele racing past defenders. The man on screen was 20. The man on stage was very visibly 74.
Yet, his enthusiasm was infectious. After a while, one lost track of the number of times he flashed that toothy smile or uttered "thank you". The two Guinness World Records, more than 1,200 career goals, the Ballon d’Or – not one mention was made of any of these, even when goaded. All questions about his achievements (and there have been many) were put down to “God”. Only the mention of Neymar, Brazil’s latest prodigy evoked some pride.
“Neymar...he is the best forward in Brazil,” said Pele falteringly. And then, with a beaming smile, “My son was a goal-keeper for Santos...he trained Neymar. I am very proud of that. He has a big, big opportunity to be the best in the world.”
Secret of his success
Another student piped up, “What is the secret of your success?” It must have been a question which Pele has had to hear quite a few times. He stopped for a moment contemplating his answer. And then he responded with a tale about his father.
“Listen, you play football because it is a gift of God,” Pele recounted his father telling him. “But if you prepare yourself, respect people and never...ever think you are the best, you will be an excellent player.” Pele broke off midway to let it sink in. And then he finished, “That is the secret of my success.”
It was only for less than a hour that Pele was at the campus. But, despite the faltering speeches or the lumbering walk, the man was charm personified. Students had come to perhaps see the legend with their own eyes, but the personality behind the man had bowled them over. Pele may not be the most articulate of speakers around, but there was an inherent humility about the legend which is an increasingly rare quality nowadays.
Cake or queen?
And his sense of humour was wicked too.
“Sir, in a few days, you will be celebrating your 75th birthday at Buckingham Palace” asked the moderator, tongue-in-cheek. “If given a choice, which one would you choose – a 75-pound cake from the best cakemaker in London or a kiss from Queen Elizabeth?”
Without missing a beat, Pele replied, with a twinkle in his eye, “As a sportsperson, I cannot eat too much cake, so I’d prefer the kiss.”
Cue for a standing, never-ending ovation from the crowd. Durga Puja had come very early at the NSHM Knowledge Campus.
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This was the Lionel Messi generation, the Cristiano Ronaldo generation. Pele belonged to a land of folklore – of black-and-white grainy YouTube videos, of apocryphal accounts recounted by grandfathers and uncles brimming with nostalgia. Perhaps, it was the sheer novelty factor that had drawn the crowds – the burning curiosity to see a man who had achieved almost mythical status in footballing lore.
Pele, dressed in light blue, staggered up the stairs to the stage, clutching on the shoulders of the dignitaries beside him for support. The big screen set up next to the stage was displaying old footage of Pele racing past defenders. The man on screen was 20. The man on stage was very visibly 74.
Yet, his enthusiasm was infectious. After a while, one lost track of the number of times he flashed that toothy smile or uttered "thank you". The two Guinness World Records, more than 1,200 career goals, the Ballon d’Or – not one mention was made of any of these, even when goaded. All questions about his achievements (and there have been many) were put down to “God”. Only the mention of Neymar, Brazil’s latest prodigy evoked some pride.
“Neymar...he is the best forward in Brazil,” said Pele falteringly. And then, with a beaming smile, “My son was a goal-keeper for Santos...he trained Neymar. I am very proud of that. He has a big, big opportunity to be the best in the world.”
Secret of his success
Another student piped up, “What is the secret of your success?” It must have been a question which Pele has had to hear quite a few times. He stopped for a moment contemplating his answer. And then he responded with a tale about his father.
“Listen, you play football because it is a gift of God,” Pele recounted his father telling him. “But if you prepare yourself, respect people and never...ever think you are the best, you will be an excellent player.” Pele broke off midway to let it sink in. And then he finished, “That is the secret of my success.”
It was only for less than a hour that Pele was at the campus. But, despite the faltering speeches or the lumbering walk, the man was charm personified. Students had come to perhaps see the legend with their own eyes, but the personality behind the man had bowled them over. Pele may not be the most articulate of speakers around, but there was an inherent humility about the legend which is an increasingly rare quality nowadays.
Cake or queen?
And his sense of humour was wicked too.
“Sir, in a few days, you will be celebrating your 75th birthday at Buckingham Palace” asked the moderator, tongue-in-cheek. “If given a choice, which one would you choose – a 75-pound cake from the best cakemaker in London or a kiss from Queen Elizabeth?”
Without missing a beat, Pele replied, with a twinkle in his eye, “As a sportsperson, I cannot eat too much cake, so I’d prefer the kiss.”
Cue for a standing, never-ending ovation from the crowd. Durga Puja had come very early at the NSHM Knowledge Campus.