Pele

Soccer legend Pele dead. Image: Netflix/AFP

Pele says he had so many affairs he didn’t know how many kids he had

In a new Netflix documentary, Brazilian soccer legend Pele admits he fathered so many children he only later found out some of them existed.

Pele

Soccer legend Pele dead. Image: Netflix/AFP

For many fans of the game he is the greatest soccer player of all time. Pele has been married three times, but has admitted to having had so many affairs that he lost track of his own children at one point in his life. The soccer icon, now 80, said:

“In all honesty I’ve had a few affairs, some of which resulted in children, but I’ve only learned about them later.”

Pele has five children — Kelly, 54, Edinho, 50, Jennifer, 42, and twins Joshua and Celeste, 24 — from his first two marriages, as well as more children from different affairs.

Pele opens up in new Netflix film

However, in the new Netflix documentary titled Pele, the soccer star insisted he was honest with his wives and girlfriends about his affairs.

The sporting legend said: “My first wife, first girlfriend, knew about it. I never lied.”

The new documentary will become available for streaming on Netflix on 23 February.

Watch the trailer for ‘Pele’ here:

Pele’s incredible rise to sporting greatness

Pele, real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, grew up in poverty, and was happy to embrace the fame and success that came his way at the height of his football career.

Speaking about his humble upbringing in Brazil, he shared:

“We came from nothing — we didn’t have much. We were poor but my father always worked.”

Pele the documentary looks back at the extraordinary period when Pele, the only player to win three World Cups, went from a young superstar in 1958 to a national hero, amidst a turbulent time in Brazilian history.

The film looks at his remarkable journey to becoming the “King of Football” and leading his nation’s team to their historic 1970 World Cup win. It also features rare footage and exclusive filmed access to Pele himself.

Football icon now rarely leaves home

Pele, left, with fellow footballer Kylian Mbappe in 2019. Brazil’s national hero has become increasingly house-bound since. Image: Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images

In 2020, Pele rubbished speculation he was suffering from depression, but admitted he was rarely going out because of a persistent hip problem.

The sporting legend insisted his physical issues were “normal” for someone of his age.

Pele — who won his first World Cup at just 17 — explained: “I am good. I continue to accept my physical limitations in the best way possible but I intend to keep the ball rolling.

“I have good days and bad days. That is normal for people of my age. I am not afraid, I am determined, confident in what I do.”

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