It’s been 36 years since Pele played for the New York Cosmos, 28 years since they’ve played a game at all. But wherever in the world the greatest player of all time goes, people don’t ask him about his glory days with Santos; they ask what happened with the Cosmos, and some wonder when they’ll return.
That’s exactly what’s about to happen this summer, with the 72-year-old Pele on hand for today’s jersey sponsorship deal with Emirates at (fittingly) the Cosmopolitan Room at the Four Seasons, and the relaunched team starting in the NASL on Aug. 3 against Fort Lauderdale in Hempstead’s Shuart Stadium.
“Today, if you are all over the world – I talked with Giovanni (Savarese, Cosmos coach) just a few minutes ago – every place in the world you go, they say “Pele, when are the New York Cosmos coming back?” Sometimes I get a little upset. I played 25 years in Santos, and nobody asks me,’’ said Pele.
“But I’m proud of that, because we made football – soccer – in the U.S. well-known. Now we are here to come back to ask for your help, because New York is back. We’re going to start. I’m proud of this. We’re going to work hard to make this possible. I believe.’’
Pele, the Cosmos’ honorary president, played for powerhouse Santos from 1956-74, and also led Brazil to three World Cup titles. But he helped make the original Cosmos a phenomenon when he starred here from 1975-77, and their influence still resonates even today, over a generation later.
“It means a lot, because I used to say all over the world, wherever I go, I just play on the (winning) team. God just put me to play on the winner team. To see the Cosmos come back after everything we did (feels great),’’ said Pele.
“I mentioned that about Santos, everybody laughed and nobody (thinks I’m) serious. I played 25 years in Santos, we won a lot of tournaments, the World Cup I scored a lot of goals. It’s amazing. I arrive in China, I arrive in Africa, they say ‘‘Listen, what happened to New York Cosmos?” That’s very important to know what it means to me to see the New York Cosmos come back. Fantastic.’’
Understand, these aren’t the Cosmos of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia; that team folded back in 1985. This isn’t even an MLS side, with the United States’ top-tier league bringing in New York City FC as its local expansion team in 2015, a $100 purchase between Manchester City and the Yankees.
But with the Cosmos opening play in the second-tier NASL this summer and still hoping to eventually build a $400 million, 25,000-seat stadium out at Belmont Park racetrack – transit issues be damned – CEO Seamus O’Brien is steadfastly convinced that this city is indeed big enough for the both of them, as well as the Red Bulls, an MLS flagship team based in Harrison (NJ).
“That’s a few years away. We’ve got a few years to get our ship up and running,” O’Brien said. “First, we’re not scared of competition. I think in any sport and walk of life that’s a good thing.
“And I think the soccer economy of this city is more than big enough to deal with three teams in three separate areas. I come from a background where big clubs live across street from each other. I think New York will be the biggest soccer market the world in my lifetime; three teams in your largest city that’s not a problem.’’
They have a roster that includes ex-MLS players like Carlos Mendes, Hunter Freeman and Joseph Nane – the former pair having played for the Red Bulls – and they are reportedly eyeing former Spanish National Team midfielder Marcos Senna, now with Villarreal.
“We don’t like to talk about players on other clubs. Everybody knows what he’s brought to Villarreal and Spain,’’ Savarese said of the 36-year-old midfielder. “When we’re ready to say things, we’ll say.’’
For a team in NASL – which is averaging just 4,590 fans this year – the Cosmos bring a significant amount of credibility and financial wherewithal. Emirates Air also sponsors the jerseys for such soccer powers as Arsenal, AC Milan, PSG and – beginning next season – Real Madrid. That’s august company. But they still have to produce on the field and at the gate.
“We know we have to earn every bit of respect afforded to us in the highly-competitive sporting city of New York. I’m happy to be judged not by our words but by our deeds,’’ said O’Brien. “We’re at the beginning of that journey that when we do get to the top again – and we will – we will stay there long past my lifetime.’’