Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer combined more than just joint games at Cosmos New York. It was a deep friendship between two legends, characterized by respect, warmth and unforgettable moments on and off the pitch.
Their paths crossed in New York in 1977 when Franz switched to Cosmos. “I really wanted to play with Pelé,” he said later. Mutual respect quickly turned into affection and friendship. Pelé spoke of Franz as his “brother.”
The 1977 Cosmos season together made history. Franz led the defensive while Pelé flashed his magic. The joint playing time was only short; on October 1, 1977, Pelé played his last game: a Farewell match in front of 75,000 fans at Giants Stadium. A half in a Cosmos shirt, a half in a Santos dress
Their friendship thrived on big and small moments. They experienced the blackout in New York together, traveled all the way to China with Cosmos and enjoyed a time that Franz later described as one of the happiest of his life. Pelé brought glamor, Franz the elegance. Together, they made soccer in the USA a spectacle and delighted millions of soccer fans all over the world.
When Pelé died at the end of 2022, Franz found moving words: Football had lost its biggest, he himself “a unique friend.”
