In 2014, France Football presented the Ballon d’Or trophy in order to right an injustice to the King
Edson Arantes do Nascimento left us on December 29th, but his legacy will also be remembered in the memory of the Ballon d’Or, by France Football magazine, as the biggest winner of the prestigious award given to the best players of each season.
However, Pelé was only awarded after he retired, since, until 2007, the trophy was only awarded to players who played in European football. With changes in the rule, the King managed to win seven Golden Balls, tied with Lionel Messi.
In 2014, France Football magazine revised the list of winners and decided to award the King seven Balls as a form of reparation for the years 1958, 1959, 1960, 1931, 1963, 1965 and 1970.
During that ceremony, Pelé cried and got emotional in his speech: “I promised my family that I wouldn’t cry, but I’m emotional. I wanted to thank God for giving me health to play for so many years.”
“I didn’t play alone, everything I won was with my friends. People remember the players, but we can’t forget the people who prepare the boots, physiotherapists, masseuses. I want to share this trophy with them”, he stated.
