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This iconic, historic photograph pairs two sports legends whose friendship spanned decades: boxing champion Muhammad Ali and Brazilian soccer star Pelé.
Muhammad Ali and Pelé have each hand-signed this large, powerful photograph in bold black marker. The photograph is custom-framed in a black gallery style frame, with a framed size measuring 24-3/16" in height x 20-3/16" width
Ali and Pelé's signatures have each been examined and authenticated by PSA/DNA. The photograph bears PSA/DNA's authenticating label and is accompanied by a Full Letter Certification of Authenticity from PSA/DNA; the authentication process incorporates permanently marking the item with proprietary invisible ink containing a patented strand of synthetic DNA which will fluoresce under a calibrated laser.
On 1 October 1977, Pelé played the last match of his outstanding career— an exhibition between his two former clubs, the New York Cosmos and Santos, with Pelé playing one half for each side.
The match was played at New Jersey's Giants Stadium before a capacity crowd of 77,000 that included such luminaries as President Jimmy Carter and Muhammad Ali. After a pre-match speech in which he asked the crowd to chant "love" three times, Pelé played the first half for the Cosmos and the second for Santos. Santos took the lead with a first-half goal from Reynaldo, but Pelé equalized for the Cosmos off a direct free kick. It was the final goal of his career. At the half, the Cosmos retired his jersey as he exchanged it for a Santos shirt. His replacement for the Cosmos, striker Ramon Mifflin, then scored the match winner in the second half.
Muhammad Ali met with Pelé on the field after the match ended, and that historic moment is captured in this striking black & white photograph of Brazilian soccer star Pelé and Muhammad Ali, after Pelé's final professional soccer game, as Pelé presented Ali with the game ball at the conclusion of the match.