Edson Arantes do Nascimento signed his first professional contract in 1956 at the age of 15 with prestigious Brazilian club, Santos FC. The following year, the football legend known only as Pelé, debuted with the Brazil National Team. During his prolific international career, Pelé won three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962 & 1970) – the only player ever to do so. As far as his pro career, Pelé stayed loyal to his homeland and the club that signed him as a teenager, playing for Santos until 1974 and finishing with an astonishing 618 goals in 636 games.

Before the 1969/70 season, Pelé was thrust into the spotlight with one of soccer’s most unfathomable milestones in reach: 1,000 career goals. A number previously unfathomable in football’s long history would swiftly fall to the “King of Soccer” during that memorable campaign. Presented here is Pelé’s twice-signed Santos FC original player’s contract for the 1969-70 season issued by the Brazilian Sports Confederation. Never before has one of his official player contracts come up for public auction, and this one just so happens to coincide with perhaps his greatest individual achievement.

The four-page contract is written entirely in Portguese with “Confederação Brasileira de Desportos” at the top alongside the colorful CBD shield emblem. The prestigious Brazilian organization founded in 1914 would eventually separate football into the CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) in 1979. The birthname of Pelé, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is printed on the first page along with his residential address at that time. The one-year term of the contract lasted from “5 de Octubro de 1969” to “4 de Octubro de 1970” with a monthly salary of “NCr$ 5.000,00” or “Cinco Mil Cruzeiros Novos.” At that time, this equated to $1,234.57 as the USD was four times more valuable. Today, that would be $45,000 USD. Money went a lot further in 1969, especially in Brazil. Still, it is hard to imagine the greatest living athlete in the world at that time earning less than $15,000 annually. And this was just a one-year deal! The 1,000th goal (“O Milésimo”) came on November 19, 1969, in his 909th career match when he slotted in a penalty for Santos against Vasco de Game at the Maracanã.

Péle has signed the contract twice in blue ballpoint ink – first on page three and again on page four. Both times he signed his name as “Edson Arantes” above three executive signatures including the association president. Traditionally, the team, league, or – in the case – sport governing body would keep the original contract, and the player would get a certified copy. Since no others from Pelé’s 19 seasons playing for Santos FC have surfaced, the rarity and significance of this piece of football history speaks for itself. The two-hole punched document measures 9” by 12-5/8” with light toning on the lightly toned and naturally aged paper stock. Creases from previously being folded in storage are barely noticeable. Overall condition remains excellent. The blue ink and signatures all rate 8-9/10 in strength and eye appeal. Includes letters of authenticity from PSA/DNA and JSA.