Football icon Pele admits to have fathered many children

80-year-old soccer icon Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pelé, says he lost track of his own children at one point in his life, admitting to having had so many affairs. 

In a new Netflix documentary named ‘Pelé’, the life of the Brazilian football player, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the soccer star said he has been married three times and insisted he was honest with his wives and girlfriends about his affairs.

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

My first wife, first girlfriend, knew about it. I never lied,” he adds. 

The documentary delves into the soccer star's past when he went from a young superstar in 1958 to a national hero, amidst a radical and turbulent era in Brazilian history.

Pelé’s remarkable journey to becoming the ‘King of Football’ and leading his nation’s team to their historic win at the 1970 World Cup is well detailed in the film. He reflects upon his impressive career.

The documentary also includes a rare archive and interviews from former legendary team-mates at Santos Futebol Clube and the Brazilian national team, including Zagallo, Amarildo, and Jairzinho, as well as extraordinary testimonials from family members, journalists, artists, and other personalities who witnessed the golden age of Brazilian football.

Pelé 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.

Last year, the soccer star dismissed speculation that he was suffering from depression. 

However, he admitted that he was rarely going out because of a persistent hip problem, insisting that his physical issues are “normal” for someone of his age.

He said, “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.”

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