Following news of football legend Pele’s passing on Thursday, one of the more obscure pieces of information to emerge – to many Aberdeen fans’ amazement – was proof the Brazilian icon had been a Dons shareholder.
Three-time World Cup-winner Pele, real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, passed away at the age of 82 following a fight with cancer.
The great man’s death kicked off a mountain of tributes, stories and images about his remarkable life, including the revelation Pele held a single share in Aberdeen FC.
Well-known Reds fan Ally Begg shared a picture confirming the Samba star’s shareholding on Twitter:
After Pele’s sad passing today, this was sent to me. It turns out he was a shareholder of @AberdeenFC. Thanks to Nick Archibald for bringing it to our attention. Amazing 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0azQlvsce2
— Ally Begg ⭐️⭐️ (@ally_begg) December 29, 2022
As you can see above, the share certificate is dated September 5, 2000, when Pele was a month shy of his 60th birthday – although why the long-time Santos player acquired the share when he did is as yet unclear.
It wasn’t Pele’s only link to Pittodrie. As Paul Third detailed in a piece for The Press and Journal on Thursday evening, the football legend rocked up at Aberdeen’s ground as part of Scotland hosting the 1989 Under-16 World Cup – and put on a demonstration for pupils from Mintlaw Academy.
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