Pele won three World Cup winner’s medals – no player in the history of football can match that

NO player in the history of the World Cup can match Pele’s record of THREE winner’s medals.

But his highs were matched by painful lows in a rollercoaster ride spanning 12 years.

RexPele and Jairzinho celebrate winning the 1970 World Cup[/caption]

Paris Match – GettyA 17-year-old Pele with the Jules Rimet trophy in 1958[/caption]

The Pele World Cup story began in fairytale style in 1958 as Brazil won the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time.

The 17-year-old rookie, who had never travelled by plane before,   thought his selection for the trip to Sweden was a MISTAKE.

But he became the youngest player ever at a World Cup and, after missing the first two games with a knee injury, scored six goals in four appearances.

His haul included a semi-final treble against France and two in the final against the hosts.

The wonderkid sobbed on the King of Sweden’s shoulder during the post-match celebrations.

His next two World Cups, though, would be anything but a fairytale.

He did add a second winner’s medal in Chile in 1962 but was injured in the second game, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament.

Yet he played his part by helping his inexperienced replacement.

After scoring twice in the decisive group victory over Spain, Amarildo said: “I felt a bit daunted at the responsibility of replacing Pele — but he encouraged me in a gesture I will never forget.

“He told me, ‘In 1958, I started as a reserve but came into the team and kept my place as we became champions. Now it is your time.’”

Pele hoped to make it a hat-trick of triumphs four years later in England but the campaign turned into a disaster as Brazil went out at the group stage.

The Santos superstar scored a brilliant free-kick in Brazil’s opening 2-0 win over Bulgaria.

EmpicsPele got his hands on the World Cup in 1962 despite being injured for the final[/caption]

He then endured some brutal treatment and a knee injury ruled him out of the next game  — a shock defeat by Hungary.

Pele was passed fit for the crunch game against Portugal but a savage foul by Joao Morais meant he was a passenger for much of Brazil’s decisive 3-1 defeat.

Pele, disgusted at his treatment and a lack of protection from refs, announced he would not play at another World Cup.

He complained: “I’m not bitter in defeat, only that I haven’t been allowed to play football. Ideal football became impossible.”

Regaining the world title was a real priority — particularly for the prestige of  Brazil’s military dictatorship.

So the Samba king was persuaded to change his mind for Mexico 70.

But he struggled for full fitness and form as the finals approached.

Coach Joao Saldanha even planned to drop him — one of the main reasons he was sacked just ten weeks before the finals.

Pele revealed: “After one match in which I was booed, I cried when I got home. I had lost my football and I was worried.

“When I was desperate to get things right, everything went wrong.”

Mario Zagallo, Pele’s team-mate from the 1958 and 1962 finals, took charge and stood by him even after he missed TWO penalties in a  goalless draw against Bulgaria in one of Brazil’s final warm-up games before leaving for Mexico.

Pele did not let Zagallo down, starring in all six games — and scoring four times to take his tally to 12 in 14 World Cup appearances.

Now 29, Pele was at the peak of his powers and it was fitting he should score the opener in the 4-1 final victory over Italy.

He confirmed it would be his last World Cup and said: “Even in 1958 I didn’t feel so happy.

“I had an appointment with myself to win this trophy again. Now I’m done.

“For me, this title has more value than all the others. In 1958, I was a boy without any pressure.

“This one was different. If I lost, I would never be the same Pele.”

Pele returned to complete the treble in 1970Alamy