At almost 80 years old, Pelé starts ... singing

“You can trust the old man.

Tell me what you need, the old man has the power to make your team win. "

On this folk tunes chorus, the former glory of Brazilian football, Pelé, devotes himself to song, a few days away from celebrating his 80th birthday this Friday.

The former striker has collaborated with Mexican duo Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero, winners of the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Music Album in 2019. The single, named "Listen to the Old Man" is available for free on YouTube, and under- titled in English.

Pelé's superb goal with Santos against Portuguesa in 1973

Pelé wrote the lyrics in 2005

"I wrote a lot of books, I scored a lot of goals, I had children, I planted a lot of trees," Pelé sums up in comments relayed by the

.

The only thing missing in my life was a musical memory. ”

The three-time world champion wrote the lyrics in 2005, with the help of composer Ruria Duprat.

“When I was playing at Santos, the coach said that when you lost, it was the players' fault, and when you won, the macumba (magic) had given a boost.”

Hence the words of one of the verses: "Cast a spell on the opposing goalkeeper, the goalkeeper will come out of his match, he will make a ball."

The music video for the song is interspersed with archival footage of Pelé at the 1970 World Cup, with, for example, the legendary stop by English goalkeeper Gordon Banks on a head from the Brazilian.

“Growing up in Mexico City, we heard so many stories about Pelé and the legendary Brazilian team that triumphed at the 1970 World Cup in our country,” said Rodrigo and Gabriela.

You can not imagine our surprise and our happiness in discovering that, not only is Pelé the greatest footballer of all time, but he is also a composer and singer of great talent. "

It's up to the public to make up their minds.

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