Latest news with #Pelé
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Farewell to the store that, with assists from Pelé and Messi, sustained soccer lovers in the US
In a couple of weeks, it will be half a century since Pelé made his debut for the New York Cosmos against the Dallas Tornado at Downing Stadium on Randall's Island. The pitch was so embarrassingly threadbare that the club deployed a small army of volunteers to daub dirt patches with green house paint diluted with water. Alan Bodenstein was a ball boy pressed into service with a brush to try to make the place look more respectable for television cameras and the watching world. When the Brazilian eventually walked on to the field, the PELE above the number 10 on his shirt had been meticulously hand-sewn there by Bodenstein's mother, Fay. A family affair. By chance, soccer had wandered into their home in Massapequa a couple of years earlier. Alan returned from school one day all abuzz about wanting to play on a new youth team being started by his friend's father. Soon the beautiful game took over all their lives. At a time when the sport was just starting to infiltrate the suburbs of Long Island, boots and balls were still difficult to source. Luckily, Gene Bodenstein, a civil engineer who grew up playing stickball on the streets of Brooklyn, was working in New York City and found he could buy what he needed for his son's new obsession at Doss Soccer Supply Store at 90th Street and First Avenue. That outlet was a long way from Massapequa so, eventually, Fay told him he should lug some extra gear back on the train with him each night because the soccer craze sweeping town had given her an idea. After they set up shop in the garage of their house on Richard Place, local kids needing shin guards or shorts or cleats (American for boots) came traipsing happily to their driveway. With her adding a mark-up of 50 cents or a dollar to whatever her husband had paid for the item in Manhattan, all was going well until a neighbour reported this thriving concern to the authorities. Befitting somebody who had survived the Holocaust because Belgian nuns hid her in a filing cabinet when Nazis searched their convent, Fay Bodentstein was undeterred by this setback. Taking the business up a level and gambling that soccer was here to stay, the family rented a space near Massapequa train station. Hoping their hunch was right, they opened a mom-and-pop shop that turned into something of an institution. READ MORE 'It became more than a soccer store, a place where players, coaches, parents, referees and administrators could talk and revel in the beautiful game,' wrote Michael Lewis, reporting the announcement of the impending closure of Massapequa Soccer Shop on 'After June 30th, that community centre and house of worship for soccer won't be available to help anyone in a pinch or to talk about the sport. The Bodenstein family has decided to retire and close the iconic store.' Although soccer had always prospered in immigrant enclaves in America's major cities, the Bodensteins took a chance in the early 1970s when nobody in this country was quite sure whether the spike in interest among suburban kids and parents was more than just a passing fad. Like the hula hoop or the yo-yo. This was decades before European soccer shirts became fashionable daily wear in high-school classrooms. A different time when somebody predicting that NBC would one day broadcast every Premier League game live each week might have been laughed out of the room. Nowadays, the whole world comes here to make bank out of the game's burgeoning popularity. A motley selection of outfits from all across the planet gather at NFL stadiums across America this month for a bloated cash-in tournament called the Fifa World Club Cup, featuring various continental champions and Inter Messi, sorry, Miami. In July, Bournemouth, Everton, West Ham United and Manchester United play out the so-called 'Premier League Series' at MetLife Stadium, Soldier Field in Chicago, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Aston Villa have games lined up in St Louis and Louisville. Meanwhile, Roy Keane played the curmudgeon on CBS's coverage of the Europa League debacle the other week, earning a vast sum for tolerating Micah Richards's laughing hyena shtick. Nobody could have envisaged the sport becoming such a lucrative money-spinner back when Massapequa Soccer Shop opened its doors. After the USA qualified for the 1990 World Cup, they put a Soccer Week magazine cover story in the window just so passersby might notice something significant had happened. Eight years later, Fay and Gene were brought to the tournament in France by Diadora. Recognition of services rendered. After both parents passed away, their daughter Helen and other son Mark took over the reins of a place they had grown up in. Now, after 52 years as part of the furniture of people's retail lives, the children have decided to shutter for good. Just about every sporting family on Long Island made pilgrimage to Massapequa Soccer Shop. For years, it was a Christmas ritual in our house where I would leave work early one December afternoon and drive the hour west alone to see what Santa Claus might discover in the overstocked racks there. A green Ireland Umbro tracksuit top was found among the treasures one time and handed down like an heirloom from brother to brother. It hangs in the wardrobe still. Too small to wear. Too precious to give away. Relic from another era. From a special shop.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
From Rio To The World: Flamengo Targets Global Spotlight In Expanded Club World Cup
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 1: Flamengo players enter the pitch prior to the match between ... More Flamengo and Fortaleza as part of Brasileirao 2025 at Maracana Stadium on June 1, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by) Ask any soccer supporter around the world which Brazilian club is the most famous, and the response will be unanimous: Santos - the seaside club where Pelé became a global star. It's an answer that Flamengo fans may not appreciate. Today, the Rio club is more than just a team, it's a cultural phenomenon - boasting a fan base of over 40 million that follows the team every step of the way. Flamengo is a way of life that transcends social classes, ethnicity, religion and divisions. The Rubro-Negro is considered sacrosanct. Yet abroad, Flamengo barely registers. Soccer fans will remember Flamengo from its 1-0 defeat in the final of the Club World Cup against Liverpool in 2019. That season, the club enjoyed unprecedented success under manager Jorge Jesus whose team played with an attacking flair rarely seen in the Brazilian top flight. Flamengo fans had hoped for a repeat of 1981 when Zico and co. swept past Liverpool, but there was to be no victory this time. 'It was a hell of a year because we won the Copa Libertadores Cup after 38 years,' Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, nicknamed BAP, told me. 'So it was a magic year. We prepared ourselves for the Club World Cup in regular fashion. It was the end of the season, so it was pretty much excruciating after almost 75 games. It was hard for us to compete against Liverpool.' This summer, Flamengo returns to the spotlight, participating in the 32-team Club World Cup, a tournament that FIFA hopes will become a flagship tournament and a major source of revenue. While the competition has drawn criticism in Europe due to the congested match calendar and the implications of distributing a $1 billion prize pot, the view in Brazil is different. There, it's seen as a chance to build the Flamengo brand, generate revenue, and win a coveted title. Brazil's calendar is already congested, and the Club World Cup adds further strain. This year, Flamengo is competing in the national league, the Brazilian Cup and the Copa Libertadores. In the first half of the season, Flamengo featured in the local state championship. However, new Brazilian FA president Samir Xaud recently promised to reduce the number of match days in the state championships. In the U.S., Flamengo could play up to seven additional matches. Baptista said: 'The priority is the Brasileirao and Libertadores, but I don't see how the Club World Cup would compete against these other competitions. Flamengo this year may play 81 games. It's a lot. You need to have a bigger squad, different medical care, preparation, and so forth. It's more complicated than in other countries, and I don't believe it's sustainable.' The distribution of the $1 billion prize pool has exacerbated fears of financial inequality in the game in Europe and beyond. In Philadelphia, the Brazilians will face Chelsea in the group stage. The recent Conference League winner reported revenues of $633 million, dwarfing Flamengo's income of more than $173 million ($1 billion reais). In 2022, the club's revenue passed $1 billion reais for the first time, more than the revenues of Crystal Palace, Ajax, Sevilla, and Villarreal, the bottom four of Deloitte's 2022 Football Money League. Still, the gap with Europe's true elite remains huge. That disparity is reflected in the prize money on offer at the Club World Cup: European clubs will receive up to $38.19 million in the group stages while South American clubs get just $15.21 million. 'FIFA had to accommodate all these interests,' said Baptista. 'It's the first time FIFA is doing this. FIFA somehow tries to address the different realities of all these clubs. Considering the clubs and the size of the clubs, there must be a differentiation. Having said that, if the differentiation addressed by FIFA is the best one, you know, only time will tell.' Baptista downplayed the importance of the prize money. He pointed out that Brazil and the U.S. lack a bilateral tax agreement. Flamengo could be taxed twice in its earnings from the Club World Cup - up to 40% of its tournament revenue. The club has been struggling to understand and navigate the complexities of state and federal taxes in the U.S., but Flamengo expects to find a solution by the end of the week. 'The net impact on Flamengo is positive, but not critical. Nothing will change in our life because we are a profitable club in Brazil,' explained Baptista. 'We are probably the biggest club in terms of revenues in Latin America, and by far the number one in Brazil. This year, revenue will probably be 1.5 billion reais, which is roughly $270 to $280 million. The total debt will be between $25 to $30 million. The debt is pretty much under control. So from a liquidity standpoint, we have 6 or 7 months in terms of cash. So, from a financial standpoint, we are in a strong position.' The Club World Cup will boost that position. The 2022 Copa Libertadores winner and current Brazilian league leader also plays Esperance de Tunis and Los Angeles FC in Group D, but the ambitions of Flamengo, a club where braggadocio is part of the DNA, extend well beyond the group stages. European clubs will be at the end of their season, allowing Baptista and his club to dream. He concluded: 'We are excited about it. It's going to be tough, but I'm pretty confident. In every competition Flamengo enters, we hope to be the winner. So hopefully, Flamengo will reach the final and become champions.' In such a scenario, Flamengo would share in some of the global fame Santos still enjoys.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📹 Ancelotti shares video of iconic Brazil moments: 'Hello, Brazil'
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. Anxiety is already taking over for Carlo Ancelotti's first call-up to the Brazilian National Team. Before the event, scheduled to take place at 3 pm (Brasília time) this Monday (26), in Rio de Janeiro, the 65-year-old Italian coach posted a video on "X" (formerly Twitter) with images of historic moments of the National Team in World Cups. Hard not to get excited, huh! In the images, there are great Brazilian idols like Romário, Ronaldo Fenômeno, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Zico, Rivellino, Pelé, and Garrincha, in addition to all five captains (Bellini 1958, Mauro 1962, Carlos Alberto Torres 1970, Dunga 1994* and Cafu 2002) who have already lifted the World Cup trophy. *However, in the video posted by Ancelotti, it is Romário who lifts the 1994 World Cup trophy, not captain Dunga. Olá Brasil! — Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) May 26, 2025 The Brazilian National Team will face Ecuador on June 5, at the Estádio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, in Guayaquil. On the 10th, the opponent will be Paraguay, at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. The matches are valid for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The five-time world champions appear in fourth place with 21 points. + 📹 De boné amarelo, Ancelotti chega ao Brasil; torcida faz festa em hotel Who do you 🫵 think should be on the call-up? Share your opinion! 🗣️ 📸 ODD ANDERSEN
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How many goals did Pele score in his career? A legendary number that still stirs debate
Pele (via Getty Images) Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, remains football's greatest icon. The great Brazilian and three-time FIFA World Cup champion has fascinated fans and historians alike over the past decades, not just due to his medals but also due to his remarkable goal-scoring feats that continue to raise eyebrows all these years after retirement. Pele 's goal count is a standard of reference in football history Pele's goal record, including for Brazil and club teams Santos and New York Cosmos, has contributed to debate about his position among football's all-time greats. Though official figures in his time were not always recorded, estimates and official reports give a better idea of his effect on the field. Pele's First FIFA World Cup Goal Pele scored 77 goals in 92 games for the Brazil national team, a record that was the highest in the history of the nation for decades. They consist of 12 out of 14 FIFA World Cup appearances, placing him among the all-time leading scorers in the tournament. At a record-breaking 17 years and 239 days, he became the youngest player ever to have scored for the FIFA World Cup, achieving that feat against Wales in 1958. Shortly after, his hat-trick in the semi-final against France and a double in the final against Sweden cemented his place in history. Pele's Greatest World Cup Moments 💛🇧🇷 Domination at club level with Santos and New York Cosmos On the club level alone, Pele scored 680 official goals, 643 of which he scored for Santos FC, a record only just broken by Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo He scored another 37 goals while playing with the New York Cosmos, where he played until he retired in 1977. These figures alone make him one of the greatest goal scorers in history. But Pele's overall contribution goes far beyond official competition. The actual number: How many goals did Pele really score? Including friendlies, exhibitions, matches at the youth level, and unofficial games, Pele's goal total explodes. FIFA and the Guinness World Records both recognize differing numbers. FIFA traditionally quotes 1,281 goals, while Guinness documents 1,279 goals in 1,363 matches. The Rec. Sport. Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF), which takes pride in its archival precision, records 778 official senior football goals, a few more than FIFA currently accepts. In a curious twist, Pelé personally reported that he had scored 1,283 goals, counting all games—including two after-retirement exhibition matches with Santos. Though current superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have reached the 800 milestone in competitive games, none have come close to Pele's overall tally, considering both competitive and exhibition matches. Also read: What's wrong with Brazil! Pele's children in a free fall, at home and abroad A legacy that goes beyond numbers Whatever the figure is, 757, 778, or 1,281, nobody can dispute that Pele's goal tally is a gargantuan tome in the annals of football history. The Brazilian icon not only scored goals — he revolutionized the sport, motivated generations, and created benchmarks that even today's stars are measured by. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Campaign ME
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Pepsi unites David Beckham, Alexia Putella, Ronaldinho, Lauren James in new campaign
Pepsi has brought together football legends from across generations, clubs and countries in a new star-studded, global campaign, which unites present-day female footballing icons such as Alexia Putellas, Lauren James, Caroline Graham Hansen, Farah Jefry and Leah Williamson with the male footballing superstars such as David Beckham, Pelé, and Ronaldinho. The brand's latest Refresh the Game campaign – created by Copa90 and acclaimed director Nicole Ackermann of Merman and Rascal, with Music Production by Adelphoi Music – will roll out globally across Saudi Arabia, the UK, Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil. The campaign follows Pepsi's recent unveiling of four new female global ambassadors to the world. In an exclusive conversation with Campaign Middle East, Cathy Graham Kidd, Senior Marketing Director, Pepsi, said, 'First and foremost, we know that women's football is on the rise. With record-breaking viewership and participation levels soaring, it's one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet and at Pepsi, we are committed to fuelling its trajectory. Our new campaign, Refresh the Game, is a salute to the incredible athletes who embody the sport – passionate, competitive and bold.' 'At Pepsi, our commitment is clear: accelerating the women's game and backing the game-changers who are defying expectations, whilst igniting unparalleled excitement. We understand the power of connection and the magic of entertainment – as a brand with rich history in this space. We're on a mission to amplify the reach of the game, captivating new audiences by showing off their talent and infectious spirits.' FC Barcelona and Spanish footballer Alexia Putellas, said, 'To be 'playing' with the legendary Pelé, even in a fictional game, is an opportunity I never thought possible. Growing up, Pelé was an icon on and off the pitch – and his legacy continues today. I hope this film helps ignite that kind of motivation in young athletes everywhere, showing them there is a place in football for everyone.' David Beckham added: 'We're witnessing a new generation of sporting superstars, and it's been an honour to feature alongside them. The players in this campaign have played a pivotal role in getting women's football to where it is today.' The Pele Foundation also commented, 'To see Pelé as a part of a campaign focused on inspiring the younger generation aligns with our efforts as a charity to empower children around the world. The film highlights the importance of lifting up other athletes and inspiring them to reach their potential. We're glad that Pelé's legacy continues to live on.' Refresh the Game: A sneak-peek into the campaign Refresh the Game opens with Putellas, James, Graham Hansen and Jefry in a press conference before they are transported to famous scenes of the past. First up, Putellas joins Pelé on the pitch with scenes from the 1974 film Join the Pepsi Generation. Pelé and Putellas unite — he delivers a precision pass, and she rainbow flicks the ball over the defender. In an ode to Pepsi's 2005 Surfers film the audience is transported into the iconic scene, where footballing legends Ronaldinho and Caroline Graham Hansen defy gravity to exchange passes across the waves. Moments later, Leah Williamson arrives on the beach, delivering a volley toward the legendary Pepsi cooler just as Alexia Putellas grabs a refreshing can of Pepsi. The film concludes with the ambassadors back in the present day. Using CGI elements, Ronaldinho's close-up shot reveals meticulous detail to enhance realism – right down to the water droplets. The film cuts to David Beckham, standing in a wild west saloon, a reprise from 2003's Wild West. Lauren James intercepts an ice-cold bottle of Pepsi as it slides across the counter before it reaches the former England international. James then joins Jefry outside for a cheeky nutmeg before grabbing a can of Pepsi. CGI dust elements, dynamic action sequences and precise compositing all come together with pre-visualisation and planning to create a thrilling shot, ensuring the players are fully immersed in the archival environment. Chelsea and the England women's national team footballer Lauren James said, 'Sharing the screen with legendary players of the past and future is a dream come true. As a lifelong fan, getting the chance to appear in a Pepsi campaign alongside players that are redefining today's game will go down as a career highlight for me.' Brazilian legend Ronaldinho added, 'Seeing the Surfer scene brought to life again has been so nostalgic and Graham Hansen steals the show. The film's message of inspiring young athletes is profoundly important to me. It demonstrates that ambitious dreams, coupled with unwavering effort, can lead to extraordinary achievements.' 1/15 Behind the Scenes: Pepsi's Refresh the Game campaign Rollout of Pepsi's Refresh the Game campaign With its latest multi-channel global rollout, Pepsi is aiming for maximum visibility and engagement, taking into account: High-impact TVC spots, to capture key audiences during peak viewing times; High-visibility OOH placements in key markets to drive broad awareness; A dynamic and engaging content strategy across key platforms and social channels, and Conversation, shareability and real-time interaction and all the way to the shelf, with on pack and in store activity. Pepsi's Graham Kidd said, 'Our selection of TV, out-of-home (OOH), digital, social and in-store as core channels for the Refresh the Game campaign enables us to align with our objectives of celebrating the challenger spirit and personalities within football on a global scale, particularly ahead of such an exciting summer of sport. The inclusion of local Pepsi ambassadors like Leah Williamson (UK) and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Sweden) within market-specific variations of the campaign film comes back to our goal of celebrating the personalities within the game.' She added, 'This approach enables us to create relatable and authentic connections with local audiences, leveraging their existing fanbase so we can resonate more deeply within those markets. This localised approach ensures the campaign feels relevant and engaging for fans in different markets and regions.' The core vision behind Refresh the Game was brought to life by Copa90 and acclaimed director Nicole Ackermann. Collaboratively, they brought together the power of technology and innovation in modern storytelling. Using carefully selected archival footage, brought to life through advanced post-production, the team transported audiences from the past to the present in a way that feels seamless, yet intentional. Each legacy moment was reinterpreted through a fresh lens, celebrating the history of the game while giving it a modern twist. Saudi Arabian footballer and Al-Ittihad midfielder Farah Jefry said, 'Everyone grew up watching Pepsi's iconic football ads and to be starring in one of them myself has been an unbelievable experience. I never expected to be battling it out in the Wild West with my fellow footballer Lauren James.' English professional footballer and Arsenal defensive midfielder Leah Williamson added, 'I am so proud to be part of Pepsi's 'Refresh the Game' campaign and to stand alongside legends of the game. It's a privilege to be part of something that unites generations and inspires the next wave of footballers around the world.' Refresh the Game rolls out globally from May 19th. Much like its other campaigns, Pepsi's success metrics for Refresh the Game will be defined across a comprehensive framework that encompasses brand impact, audience engagement, and ultimately, contribution to business objectives. 'But, we all know success in this space spans beyond internal monitoring and metrics. Real success sees continued growth and awareness for the women's game, its players, more viewership and more opportunities to speak to fans and audiences through social media platforms, press outlets and beyond over years to come,' Graham Kidd concluded. Credit List: Creatives: Chief Creative Officer – Gav Rowe Senior Creative- Marc Xifre Creative – Abbey Monteiro Creative – Janak Jani Strategy: Strategy Director – Izzy Trimble Partner Services: Business Director – Miles Woodford Senior Client Partner – Natalie Mitchelson Client Partner – Stan Evans Client Manager – Erin MacIntyre Production: Head of Production – Rob Michaels Executive Producer – Anneka Vestey Senior Producer – Sophie Smith Photography – Madeleine Penfold Illustrator – Rachel Mcculloch Merman: Director – Nicole Ackermann Executive Producer – Siobhan Murphy Head of Production – Alicia Farren Jane Lloyd – Producer Production Manager Davina Abrahams 1st AD – Clara Paris DOP – Jamie Ramsay Production Designer – Chelsea Oliver Costume Designer – PC Williams Rascal; Creative Director & VFX Supervisor: Kalle Lundberg 2D: Holly McLean, Mikael Theander, Joe Wreford, Ed Poulson 3D Lead: Conrad Moody 3D: Phil Maddock Motion Graphics: Daniel Danielson Matte Painting: Aurélien Ronceray, Nils Firas Senior VFX Producer: Evelyn O'Reilly Production Assistant: Amy Peat & Archie McGuinness Colourist: James Bamford Head of Production: James Beck Final Cut: Producer – Nikki Porter Editor – Amanda James Edit Assist – Hannah Burger Adelphoi Credits: Music Production: Adelphoi Music Music Producer: Jonathan Watts (Head of Production) Arrangement: Greg West Vocal Performance: Davyne Truth
