Former Cosmos player says ‘soccer’ in America owes almost everything to Pele – 12/31/2022

Bobby Smith couldn’t hold back tears as he paid tribute to ‘King’ Pele, who died aged 82 on Thursday. The rise of soccer in the United States is almost entirely due to Brazilian genius – said his former teammate who played with him 45 years ago at the Cosmos club in New York.

At the age of 71, Robert ‘Bobby’ Smith spoke to AFP at his football academy in his hometown of New Jersey, 100km from New York.

On the edge of the artificial turf, the young men graduating from his academy train, Smith fondly remembers a giant poster – he can’t remember which Cosmos it was, whether it was 1976 or 1977 – in which Pele and he, the defender, raise their arms and celebrate a goal.

A professional player in Philadelphia in the 1970s, Smith was signed by the Cosmos in 1976 for $100,000. The Brazilian star signed a year earlier for at least $1 million — a deal that would see him partially retire at the age of 34. Pele scored 31 goals in 56 games and led the New York club to the title in 1977.

A decade younger than the Brazilian, Smith has been a Pele “fan” since childhood: “I can’t believe I’m going to play with him,” he laughs.

– “Like Boys” –

After signing American goalkeeper Bob Rigby at the same time as Smith, Pele lured Italian Giorgio Sinaglia, German “Kaiser” Franz Beckenbauer and Brazilian Carlos Alberto to the Cosmos.

“Every day, we were like little children around him”, says the former player, who broke down in tears in front of a beautiful photograph of Pele’s last game at the end of 1977, in which he lovingly caressed Smith’s face. He who sees him is impressed.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who was “very warm and humble” and knew how to “put his ego aside,” says Smith, “was a great teammate, he cared about all of his colleagues, and no, he wasn’t just a superstar.” Note the impressive resume of Pele, the only player in history to win three World Championships (1958, 1962, 1970).

In October 1977, a world icon when he hung up his boots during a friendly between the Cosmos and his former club Santos at Giants Stadium in New York, the eternal number 10 had a “huge influence” on the height. Smith talks about “soccer” in America in the 1970s and 1980s.

– “Legitimate” football ‘Made in America’ –

“Bringing him here gave the game more recognition. People wanted to see him. He played in front of 70,000 people in New York and brought all these stars,” Smith said, referring to European champions Johan Cruyff, Bobby Moore and George Best. ., who reached the American League inspired by the Brazilian.

“Without Pele we wouldn’t have a national program here. We’d be years behind (…) It’s incredible, that’s the impact he’s had”, said Smith, who continued to highlight his “athletic” qualities. And, above all, his “sport vision.

Could a new Pele suit American football? The Santos star and former Brazil national team player, answers emphatically:

“It is important for a country like us to develop its own players. We need Beckenbauer, Alberto, Best, but now we are in our own development, our team did well in this World Cup” World Cup four years away from Qatar, USA, Canada and Mexico.

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© Agence France-Presse