Further to an earlier question which I cannot find now, the Brazilian footballer Pele was designated a national treasure to prevent him playing for foreign clubs. If this is true, how did he come to play for the New York Cosmos in the 1970s?

zbeckabee

Yes. It is true. http://www.moopuna.com/b3612.htm Pele, freed from his national treasure status that bound him to Brazilian side Santos for most of his remarkable career. http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/resource_center/soccer_business/323186.html May 24 06, 7:17 PM

darkpresence

Ok, so how did Pele come to be freed from his national treasure status? Presumably large amounts of folding green were involved, or was it because he was in the twilight of his career (I reckon he would have been 34 joining the NYC)? May 24 06, 7:24 PM

zbeckabee

He retired from Brazilian Soccer. After his retirement from Brazilian football on 2 October 1974, he joined the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele May 24 06, 7:53 PM

gtho4

wag As a National Treasure that designation meant he couldn't be exported from Brazil. That status expired/terminated when he retired (he played his last game for Brazil, and Santos, in October 1974) .. his status became "sort of like a free agent". May 24 06, 8:15 PM