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ABC News
ABC News
Sport
by Nick Campton and Samantha Lewis

Remembering Pelé's trip to Australia with Santos in 1972 — and the Socceroo who stopped him

As football’s first global superstar, Pelé played the game just about everywhere a person could play it.

While he remained with Brazilian club Santos FC for almost his entire career — with the nation even declaring him a national treasure to prevent him from leaving — he and his side travelled the world, raking in a small fortune through exhibition games and friendlies against other clubs and national teams. 

Pelé made several promotional visits to Australia over the years but few as a player and his debut on this soil in Sydney in 1972 looms largest. 

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