Watch Pele: Birth of a Legend

Pele: Birth of a Legend is a 2016 biographical drama film that tells the story of legendary Brazilian soccer player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pelé. The movie chronicles his rise from a poor kid in Brazil to the greatest footballer of all time. The film opens with young Pele, played by Kevin de Paula, who lives in poverty in the outskirts of Sao Paulo in the 1950s. He spends most of his time playing street football with his friends and dreaming of becoming a professional player. He soon catches the attention of Waldemar de Brito, a former player and now a coach at Bauru Athletic Club, who helps him hone his skills.

When Pele's family moves to Santos, he joins the Santos FC youth academy and quickly rises through the ranks, impressing even the head coach, Lula. Pele's amazing talent and skill for the game soon catch the attention of Brazilian National Team head coach Vicente Feola, played by Vincent D'Onofrio, who selects him for the 1958 World Cup squad.

The film follows Pele's journey with the Brazilian National Team to the World Cup tournament in Sweden in 1958, where he and his teammates face a tough challenge against other national teams. With his impressive performance on the field, Pele quickly becomes the star of the tournament, leading Brazil to a stunning victory and leaving his mark on the world of football forever.

Throughout the movie, we also see Pele's personal struggles, including the adversity he faced growing up poor, racial discrimination, and injuries that could have hindered his career. But with the support of his family, friends, and teammates, he overcomes every obstacle and becomes an inspiration to people all over the world.

The film does a great job of showcasing Pele's incredible talent and skill, which are nothing short of mesmerizing. The cinematography and editing are impressive, with slow-motion shots of Pele's moves and close-ups of his feet as he dribbles the ball. The soundtrack features Latin American music, which adds to the film's overall authenticity and energy.

The performances of the cast are excellent, especially Kevin de Paula, who portrays the young Pele with charisma and confidence. Vincent D'Onofrio delivers a solid performance as the tough but caring Feola, while Rodrigo Santoro and Diego Boneta play important roles as Pele's mentors and friends.

In summary, Pele: Birth of a Legend is a must-see film for football fans and anyone interested in the story of one of the most iconic athletes of all time. The movie captures the spirit and passion of Brazil, the love for the game, and the determination of one boy who became a legend.

Pele: Birth of a Legend is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 39.