Sir Bobby Charlton tribute to mark 80th birthday of Pele

Although they never met at domestic level, the two were opponents as internationals with England and Brazil during the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups, tournaments which were all won by Pele’s side.

As global figures of the game, Sir Bobby and Pele have remained friends and a warm welcome has always been extended to the South American hero whenever he has visited Old Trafford. 

Those visits memorably included one in April 1998 to officially open a new and improved Old Trafford Museum, to which he temporarily loaned his three World Cup winners’ medals. Pele was also back at the Theatre of Dreams in 2012, with New York Cosmos, for Paul Scholes’s testimonial. 

In a message to mark Pele’s 80th birthday, Sir Bobby said:

“I have said it before and I will say it again, I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player. A phenomenal footballer and one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. Happy 80th birthday, Pele – wishing you good health, happiness and many happy returns.”