“It is an honor for me to celebrate the greatest sport in the world with the children of India”, Pelé’s words seven years ago will forever ring in the ears of football fans in Delhi.

It was the first time in October 2015 that Pele, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, had stepped foot in Delhi and he has quite captured the hearts of the capital’s football fans, not for his dazzling talent on the pitch but as a true ambassador of ” beautiful game”.

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His two-day visit to Delhi was the last time he interacted with Indian football fans and the general public. He was the main guest in the final of the men’s U-17 inter-school football tournament Subroto Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium here on 17 October 2015.

He had arrived in Delhi from Kolkata where he made his second visit after 1977. He returned to Delhi again in 2018 but for a closed meeting about running a media house.

Delhi is fortunate to be the only city other than Calcutta – where the ‘Black Pearl’ played an exhibition match as part of the New York Cosmos team against Mohun Bagan in 1977 – to see the Brazilian legend in person.

If Calcutta fans (as they were known at the time) were dazzled by glimpses of Pele’s skills, Delhi saw the iconic footballer as an ambassador for the sport eager to help the rise of a “very special country” in world football.

“You have to build a base. India is a very special country… the fans are amazing. I hope my visit will inspire these champions in the future,” he said in a video message.

“Of course (football) has developed a lot, not only in India but in many countries.” Delhi pays and takes inspiration from the three-time World Cup winning icon Brazil. Last year, Football Delhi announced that 23 October, his birthday, would be observed as ‘Grassroots Development Day’.

“Pele is a global icon and he inspired millions of people around the world, including in India. We have seen in Kolkata and Delhi how football fans adore him,” said Shaji Prabhakaran, former president of Football Delhi and current general secretary of Football Federation of India.

“His birthday is being celebrated as grassroots development day in Delhi. Football Delhi made a decision last year when I was its president,” said Prabhakaran, who was fortunate enough to see Pele up close in 2015 and 2018.

Just days before his 75th birthday, Pele caused a frenzy at the 20,000-capacity Ambedkar Stadium as he circled the ground in an open-top Indian Air Force jeep ahead of the Subroto Cup final on Oct. 16.

He then handed over the trophies to the two teams accompanied by the Air Force Chief of Staff Arup Raha.

His welcome at Delhi airport on 15th October was not a big deal as more than 100 people showed up just after 8pm. Pelé, restricted in movement due to three surgeries that year, including on his hip, got out of the car and waved to the crowd with a big smile.

However, it was a different scenario at the Ambedkar Stadium two days later when the crowd chanted ‘Pele Pele’ with many fans trying to approach him and get autographs.

Players from both opposing teams were the luckiest when Pelé walked – albeit with great difficulty – to the ground and shook hands.

It was a sight to behold as Pele, once a nightmare for opponents with his dazzling run and footwork on the football pitch, struggled to move. Due to hip surgery, he limped his way up the steps from the pulpit and onto the floor.

The indomitable spirit that made him famous and made him one of the most recognizable faces in the world is evident. After the usual meeting with the two teams, Pelé climbed into the jeep specially provided for him and made the round trip to the Ambedkar stadium.

That’s what people expect because they have a lifetime experience. Chants of “Black Pearl”, “King Pele” or simply “Pele, Pele” filled the air.

Pelé was 15 years old when he first played for his club Santos. He became a member of the Brazilian national team at the age of 16, playing in and winning the 1958 World Cup before turning 18.

Pele, who was voted Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, said India should focus on grassroots football while encouraging it to play overseas.

“The important thing is to focus on the pitch. Indian players should go and play in Europe, South America etc. This will help them. Also, there must be an exchange program (with other countries),” Pele told the organizers of the Subroto Cup.

“I can arrange an exchange program for a young Indian player aged 15 or 16 in Rio de Janeiro or somewhere in Brazil. I can help do it with Santos (his 25 year old club). I can do that. Anyone who watched the ‘God of Football’ on the night of 16 October 2015 at the Ambedkar Stadium would probably agree with what Dutch legend Johan Cruyff once said: ‘Pelé is the only footballer who has gone beyond the boundaries of logic. .” Not without reason, Ferenc Puskas from Hungary once said: “I refuse to classify Pelé among the players. He is above that.”

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)