Independent Reading Prompt 5 Chapter 6

On the topic of Brazilian Soccer on a world scale the author couldn't omit the likes of Pele, the main component of Brazilian Soccer's globalization. Born a very small man with a weak frame of only 145 lbs. at the start of his career. His statured was paired with an uncanny ability to shoot from extreme angles and possess the ball in a way that no one else could manage. This chapter moved me because it is about how Pele was used as a tool by the Brazilian government used his image and visage to promote how Brazil was becoming an international power. This exploitation was just the beginning. While Brazil was undergoing economic boom Pele benefited greatly, becoming one of the best paid athletes of the time. But his money didn't last. By allowing a friend to make poor investments and the government declaration that Pele was a "non-exportable national treasure" he was never able to make any of his money lost back by playing in Europe. After retiring in 1974 Pele agreed to another poor contract signing with the New York Cosmos in the newly created North American Soccer League. Before this I had heard of Pele coming to America to play as an ambassador for the game but I didn't know it was because he was broke.