I was reading a story about the last movie you're doing on this great personaje de nuestro universo: El Rey Pelé . Y dice el reportaje que Pelé lloró al ver imagenes de él, de cuando era un chico y empezaba a dar sus primeros pasos en el fabuloso mundo del Futbol. La película en cuestión se está realizando en Brasil y por un cineasta brasileiro.
Ese cometario de Pelé no hace más que corroborar su gran sencillez y nobleza, cosa que ha demostrado durante toda su vida, por todas partes de este mundo, así mi apreciado amigo Luisito Mendoza diga lo contrario.
Recuerdo que estaba Yo viviendo en Maturín, en la casa de una de mis tías, cuando le pregunté a mi madre: ¿Quien es Pelé? Por primera vez había oido hablar sobre este señor. And my mother, who is a person who just does not have a great knowledge on the subject told me that Pele was one of the best players in the world. It was quite common to hear mention the name of Pele in all Caimanera we did in the neighborhood. And especially when we were going to play those Caimanera in the main stadium of Maturin, having a black with a huge football skills which he occasionally called Pele. This guy came to play professional soccer in Venezuela, which in those years was considered very good. This boy was Obi Farias. And the team played very Canaries FC. (1965-66)
Beginning to play the sport sparked in me a passion that was stronger than I, could not control. I go to sleep just thinking and looking forward to the next day to go play Caimanera. And I began to develop a very good technique. And as played with the "big" things I quickly learned that kids my age had not yet learned. That year, I played for the first time in my life a serious tournament football. Maturin NDI organized the city championship. And I played with the team of my neighborhood: City Workers called our team. This was a party. The largest were in charge of making collections to buy the uniforms. Besides Radio petitioned Maturin and this station gave us a soccer ball. A boy named Miguel Morales put the numbers and the name of the team. And when we released our uniform I could not contain the pride he felt and the excitement of using for the first time in my life a football uniform. The uniform was all white.
On Sunday night at 10 pm, Channel 2 broadcast a program called international football, led by a man named Francisco Mariño. And almost always spent part of Real Madrid. It was the era of Amancio. He also spent occasional Portuguese league matches and the Scottish league where a player's name highlighted Jonhstons. He was a true artist of soccer. And of course I started to see Santos of Brazil and The King Pelé.
I had the chance to see him live 2 times: once when the came to my first of a homer with Santos in Brazil. This was, if I remember correctly, in mid-1967. In that home run I could also see Eusebio, the Black Panther Portugal.
Then I saw Pele when he came to New York Cosmos to play a match against the Portuguese in Venezuela where he played Jairzinho. In that game also saw Bekenbauer, Carlos Alberto of Brazil and Chinaglia of Italy.
Over the years, I became a great lover of Brazilian football, I had the opportunity to play with the Brazil National Team of Venezuela. Let me explain: A lot of players Brazilians, who came to play professional soccer in Venezuela, I liked it so much this country that made their home here in Venezuela.
At first I knew was a Pereirinha. Then Moraes, Alcir, Bueno. Later I got to play with Angelo Barbosa who soon showed me a great appreciation and congratulated me whenever he could so well that I juagar. So I met Elio Mulato, to Fagundes (Fafá) to Erly Carlos, Jurandir to deninson, Jorge Luis, Marquiños, Olavo, among others. They all Brazilians had his team, his selection by Canarinha. One night, taking us a beer on the galleon, Fafá invited me to play with the selection. And let's be clear: I was HOLDER. And I was pleased to play the position I wanted to play as Angelo Barbosa Fafá or asked me where I wanted to play in midfield or central defender, and I almost always picked in midfield.
This experience with the selection by Brazilian-Venezuelan almost gives me the opportunity to play with King Pelé . Pele was in Venezuela, I do not remember why. I remember when I got a call from Erly and tells me: SATURDAY WE WILL PLAY A FRIENDLY IN THE CLUB Paracotos, It is not strange because we went to this club with some frequency, worked there two great Brazilian players: Braula Silvio Leite and Barbosa. But the best part of the invitation was that GOING TO PLAY THE BLACK U.S.. I could not believe! Playing alongside Pele! This was the best thing that could have happened in life. Believe me this week I had insomnia. Saturday came and as soon as I made my briefcase and went to Paracotos. When I got all excited, I got the news that Pele had to fly to Brazil of urgency and apologized for not being able to accompany his fellow Brazilians in this journey so special.
Well, now I'm waiting for that movie so special about the life of O Rei Pelé comes to Venezuela to once again enjoy the exploits of this wonderful player considered the Best in the World is such a demanding sport.
In the next article I will continue to count other very pleasant experience which I have lived through this exciting sport.
