I don't know to what degree has Pele elevated himself above his team mate Garrincha, but it is not impossible. But I think it had to do more with FIFA than Pele, the latter just took full advantage and if FIFA was a person, he/she would be like WTF??
To FIFA's credit though, you'd think they would actually elevate someone with a drug problem? I mean fun and religion aside, alcohol and coke are not things you promote, and nor should you as a sports institution and Pele was a good boy also insanely talented and decorated so it makes all sense. Maradona's name would have been wiped had he been in an older generation but there were colored tv in every corner at the time and he promoted himself as well so they couldn't shut him up or hide him.
They even split the player of the century between him and Pele.
Every sport is filled with pioneers who weren't saints in their personal lives. Especially back in the middle of the 20th century when fitness was not the same thing, whether you are talking about baseball, hockey or football, guys would have a smoke during their breaks. These guys weren't multi millionaires after all, they were regular people with regular people problems. It's not the duty of the league to whitewash history.
Plenty of greats had serious drinking problems. Unlike many, for Garrincha it was an illness that would kill him as it did his father. Had he played in the modern era, he'd have the help to, if not be clean, at least be functional the way someone like Adriano is.
Not everyone has the long term discipline Pele has to keep his image under control. Pele was far from a saint, just ask his disowned illegitimate kids or those who partied with him in the NY Cosmos. But he was the sports first media savy star.
Valeron would disagree but all things considered the only player here who truly marched to stardom and success despite adversity is Garrincha. Because had Messi been who he is back then, no would have given him medical attention. In fact no one gave Garrincha medical attention he just said fuck you to the doctors and recommendations to play football. And that he did, without a care in the world. Sort of freakish to be honest how he didn't value his life at all, like at all. Paralysis aside, he still drank his life away away from the pitch. I wonder what type of person he was or what was his motivation because someone must have given Adriano the same mental teachings or ways of thinking.
Question, where are you getting these stories about Valeron from besides one hilarious anecdote? There's plenty of more obvious examples of players loving the night life a bit too much - Ronaldinho anyone? I've never heard anything about Valeron being a coke fiend.
nice to see you back Nolan.
“The Spanish national team and Barçelona play boring football? I’ve played against Barça and I didn’t get bored."
