I didn't know much about Pele's history with Copa America other than that he had never won it. Following yesterday's final, I decided to read further and I found this. It is too bad that he missed on winning Copa America by just one goal. Regardless, and at just 18 , he was the tournament's leading scorer with 8 goals in 6 games:
"Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, was one of the great South American players in history (Maradona, Zico, Zamorano, Valderrama...) who never won a Copa America. His only participation in the tournament was the 1959 edition in Argentina, where the 'Verdeamarela' stood at the threshold of winning but it was the hosts who would lift the trophy. In that solitary Copa America he left his mark and a goal scoring record (8 goals in six games).
Pele played in that tournament a year after he lit up the world in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. At only 17 years of age and starting as a substitute, Pele helped his country to its first of three FIFA World Cup's that he would play. In the 1958 edition he scored three goals in the semifinals against France (5-2) and a brace in the final against hosts Sweden (5-2), finishing with a balance of 6 goals from 4 matches.
Argentina hosted the Copa America which by then consisted of a round robin phase among the seven participating teams, ie... six games in which the champion is decided. Pele's debut came against Peru, where he premiered as a scorer despite not getting the win (2-2). However against Chile he would not only score 2 goals but would get the victory (3-0). Four days later Pele would again score against Bolivia (4-2). It was against Uruguay (3-1 to Brazil) that Pele did not score a goal, but in the next game against Paraguay he scored a hat-trick (4-1).
The final match pitted Argentina and Brazil in the Monumental Stadium of Buenos Aires, where the hosts came in with a point advantage and only needed a draw to be named champions. Although Pele equalized after the initial goal by Pizzutti, the score ended tied at one and the 'Albiceleste' were crowned champion. Nevertheless, Pele won the award for top scorer notching 8 goals in six games.
It was his first and last participation in the tournament, then called the Sudamericano Championship, which for various reasons he would never play in again. Pele, yes, made his mark at just 18 years of age with 8 goals and a runner-up to his credit."
But it is a mystery why he only played in 1 Copa America only? Such a shame! He could have played in the next two tournaments in 1963 and 1967. I am assuming injury prevented him? They didn't play the next Copa America till 1975, by which time he had long retired from the NT.
ASHOOR
"Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, was one of the great South American players in history (Maradona, Zico, Zamorano, Valderrama...) who never won a Copa America. His only participation in the tournament was the 1959 edition in Argentina, where the 'Verdeamarela' stood at the threshold of winning but it was the hosts who would lift the trophy. In that solitary Copa America he left his mark and a goal scoring record (8 goals in six games).
Pele played in that tournament a year after he lit up the world in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. At only 17 years of age and starting as a substitute, Pele helped his country to its first of three FIFA World Cup's that he would play. In the 1958 edition he scored three goals in the semifinals against France (5-2) and a brace in the final against hosts Sweden (5-2), finishing with a balance of 6 goals from 4 matches.
Argentina hosted the Copa America which by then consisted of a round robin phase among the seven participating teams, ie... six games in which the champion is decided. Pele's debut came against Peru, where he premiered as a scorer despite not getting the win (2-2). However against Chile he would not only score 2 goals but would get the victory (3-0). Four days later Pele would again score against Bolivia (4-2). It was against Uruguay (3-1 to Brazil) that Pele did not score a goal, but in the next game against Paraguay he scored a hat-trick (4-1).
The final match pitted Argentina and Brazil in the Monumental Stadium of Buenos Aires, where the hosts came in with a point advantage and only needed a draw to be named champions. Although Pele equalized after the initial goal by Pizzutti, the score ended tied at one and the 'Albiceleste' were crowned champion. Nevertheless, Pele won the award for top scorer notching 8 goals in six games.
It was his first and last participation in the tournament, then called the Sudamericano Championship, which for various reasons he would never play in again. Pele, yes, made his mark at just 18 years of age with 8 goals and a runner-up to his credit."
But it is a mystery why he only played in 1 Copa America only? Such a shame! He could have played in the next two tournaments in 1963 and 1967. I am assuming injury prevented him? They didn't play the next Copa America till 1975, by which time he had long retired from the NT.
ASHOOR