DoLo they called the Pele White. Angelo Benedicto Sormaniduring a long interview granted to 19th centuryit’s really about Pelehis partner at the time of Santos: “He was the non plus ultra, whoever saw him has no doubts. We spent two years together in the hostel, he was 18, I was 20. Pelé didn’t smoke, he didn’t drink, he was also an example of humility: he was the strongest and to give the massages he waited for the older ones. There is one thing that bothers me. The videos of the time are not of good quality champions now. But Ronaldo and the others study, train, have personal trainers. He was the first, he learned on his own, he did it instinctively.”
And Maradona?
“When he came to Napoli I was coaching the Primavera Azzurri. He loved the ball. One Tuesday we were in Soccavo, I had sent my boys into the changing rooms but Diego approached: “Mister, I would like to play a bit”. I went to collect the players under the shower, someone was soaped up, to organize a half-hour game that made him happy”.
Who was the strongest?
“Maradona also had dribbling, excellent first control and surprising initial speed. Pelé led a more balanced life. And he was more complete physically: he was a great athlete. If Pelé had trained for the 100 meters he would have gone to the Olympics. The same on the high jump, on the long jump. I don’t know if he would have won medals but I don’t rule it out. Of course, I was his friend, but I speak as a football scholar.”