PELÉ (1940–2022)

Pelé’s autograph on a black-and-white photograph capturing one of the most expressive images of his footballing artistry — an overhead bicycle kick. The signature appears directly on the photograph, presented in a PSA/DNA-certified protective holder. The composition brings the documentary sporting artifact together with a large-scale painted portrait of the footballer in an artist-designed presentation.

Pelé — Edson Arantes do Nascimento — became one of the defining figures in the history of world football. At seventeen, he won his first World Cup with Brazil in 1958, followed by further triumphs in 1962 and 1970. He remains the only footballer to have won the FIFA World Cup three times, while his name became synonymous with Brazilian football, technical freedom and the very idea of the “beautiful game.”

The visual construction extends the energy of the archival image: saturated green, turquoise, black and white planes form an expressive portrait of Pelé, while fine yellow lines introduce a sense of movement across the composition. The certified photograph is integrated into the lower section as a historical document, establishing a dialogue between the image of a sporting legend and his authentic signature. A black frame completes the artist-designed presentation.

The work holds particular significance for a collection of football memorabilia, bringing together Pelé’s autograph, one of the most recognisable motifs of his playing style and a contemporary artistic interpretation. The authenticity of the signature is confirmed by international PSA/DNA certification.