Pelé in the United States: Stories of his influence, kindness and humility from those who knew him

I took the long way to Charles Martinelli’s house, leaving the noise of New York City in my rear view and driving north, hugging the banks of the Hudson River, winding through scenery that grew more and more picturesque. “I mentioned Pelé to the Warner people, to Steve Ross, and he just said, ‘Who’s that?’” said Toye. “‘It would be an honor for me to do that.’ So that’s how it happened.” Mendes glowed recounting his time in Los Angeles with Pelé. “I hope to hug him after we win this World Cup.” Arnie Ramirez, who helped run Pelé’s soccer camps in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, has his own memories of Pelé’s music. “At night, after we’d put all the kids to sleep, Pelé would take out his guitar,” said Ramirez.