Only Once - Play Soccer with Pelé

Dream has come true for a little boy from Brazil

view large Image Pelé sits on the grass in his garden and raises his hands, with Fabio sitting on the right and a girl on the left.
Fabio is sitting on the right, next to Pelé. The deaf boy attends classes at Instituto Santa Theresinha, a school for the deaf and hearing impaired in Sao Paulo. In his free time, Fabio likes to play soccer. © CBM
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé. To play soccer with the "world’s best football player" only once – this is a dream for many young and old soccer players, amateurs and professionals.

For Fabio, a boy from Brazil – this dream has come true. Together with other children, he was invited to Pelé’s home. The ten-year-old lost his hearing due to an infection with meningitis and goes to a Instituto Santa Theresinha school for the deaf in Sao Paulo, a project supported by Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
view large Image Fabio plays soccer on the dusty street, together with his friends.
Fabio plays on the street, together with his friends. © CBM

Soccer with a football made of socks

At Pelé’s home things were quite turbulent – first, the soccer champion had to "say" a sentence in sign language: "Brazil will be world champion". Then the great moment was there for Fabio: The soccer star, who dominated the world’s football for 15 years since the World Championships 1958 in Sweden, and who shot 100 goals per football season, played soccer with Fabio and his friends. When he had been a child, the Brazilian played with a football made of socks, because his family didn’t have the money for a football made of leather. Then, he acquired the pen name "Pelé" – from his football-friends.
view large Image Pelé plays as a member of Fabio‘s team. The children wear yellow t-shirts with CBM logo.
Pelé plays as a member of Fabio's team. © CBM

"I am a member of the CBM team"

Today, Pelé looks back to a long career as a soccer player. His wife Assiria is a well-known singer in Brazil, and she has told him also about the work of CBM – especially about the eye hospital in Recife, Brazil, where about 1000 people receive treatment per day.

Pelé's engagement for people with disabilities is most appreciated - especially by one boy from Brazil. When he met Fabio, Pelé was sure that: "I am a member of the CBM-team. Please help us."

Video File for download - Visiting Pelé

A film team accompanied the children, who visited Pelé in May 2006, and produced the video files below. Assiria, Pelé's wife, has contributed the background music.
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Projects worldwide

Projects worldwide