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The special gift Pele gave Roger Federer in 2012

Originally posted on HITC | By Max Kilham | Last updated Dec 29, 2025 7:00 PM ET

Roger Federer is one of the greatest players in tennis history alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The Swiss legend, a winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, retired from his playing career in 2022, much to the dismay of millions of tennis fans across the world.

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Around 10 years prior to his retirement, Federer was granted the priceless opportunity to meet a Brazilian football legend.

Federer was understandably ecstatic at the prospect of meeting Pele – Brazil’s greatest ever player.

Pele gifted Federer his Brazil shirt from the 1958 World Cup final

In a video clip on Federer’s YouTube page, the Swiss legend’s meeting with Pele was documented.

Ahead of meeting the Brazilian icon, Federer said: “Knowing that I was going to come to Brazil for some time, the person that I really wanted to meet the most here was Pele.

“And I’m going to get it now [get to meet him] and I’m very excited.”

Photo credit should read GABRIEL LOPES/AFP via Getty Images

During the meeting, Pele gifted Federer the shirt [signed by Pele] he wore during the 1958 World Cup final. Pele, who was 17 at the time, played a central role for Brazil during their 5-2 victory against Sweden, scoring two goals.

He also gave Federer a poster depicting Pele playing in the same final. On the poster, a message read: “To Federer, all the best, Edson Pele.”

Who was Pele?

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, otherwise known as Pele, was an iconic figure in sporting circles: a champion in every sense of the word and a person who transcended football.

The Brazilian legend, who averaged almost a goal per game throughout his career, is the only player to win three World Cups [1958, 1962 and 1970].

Pele played for two teams in his club career. From 1956 to 1974 he played for the Brazilian team Santos, scoring 569 goals in 583 games. From 1974 to 1977, he played for the New York Cosmos.

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Following his retirement in 1977, Pele became a worldwide ambassador for football.

Pele sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of 82.

Roger Federer paid tribute to the Brazilian legend in a post on his Instagram account.

He said: “Thank you for inspiring millions of sports fans and athletes.

“I count myself so fortunate to have met you and gotten a chance to learn and look up to you. You were one of the first true global sporting icons. Rest in peace King Pele.”

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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