The grace and skill of Brazilian legend Pele captured the eye of pop art pioneer Andy Warhol, who produced this portrait after meeting the footballer in the 1970s. It features in an exhibition called "Pele: Art, Life, Football" at the Halcyon Gallery in London. Pele said of Warhol: "He gave continuity to my life and my message outside of the football pitch ... It's because of him that today you see many artists who have works of me."
Andy Warhol - Pele —
The grace and skill of Brazilian legend Pele captured the eye of pop art pioneer Andy Warhol, who produced this portrait after meeting the footballer in the 1970s. It features in an exhibition called "Pele: Art, Life, Football" at the Halcyon Gallery in London. Pele said of Warhol: "He gave continuity to my life and my message outside of the football pitch ... It's because of him that today you see many artists who have works of me."
Andy Warhol/Halcyon Gallery
Luiz Paulo Machado's famous photograph was taken during a friendly match in October 1976 where a heart appears on Pele's bright yellow Brazil shirt. It earned the title "The Heart of the King." Pele won three World Cup titles with his country, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Luiz Paulo Machado - PELE —
Luiz Paulo Machado's famous photograph was taken during a friendly match in October 1976 where a heart appears on Pele's bright yellow Brazil shirt. It earned the title "The Heart of the King." Pele won three World Cup titles with his country, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Luiz Paulo Machado/Halcyon Gallery
Born into poverty in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Pele's early steps in the game were made with a grapefruit at his feet. He would go to become one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Paricio's work depicts Pele executing an overhead kick.
Pedro Paricio - Hermes XXI —
Born into poverty in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Pele's early steps in the game were made with a grapefruit at his feet. He would go to become one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Paricio's work depicts Pele executing an overhead kick.
Pedro Paricio/Halcyon Gallery
Loius Sidoli's work is named after Warhol's famous quote about Pele. The artist revisited his "15 minutes of fame" quote to predict "15 centuries" of acclaim for the Brazilian, such was his talent.
Louis Sidoli - Famous for 15 Centuries —
Loius Sidoli's work is named after Warhol's famous quote about Pele. The artist revisited his "15 minutes of fame" quote to predict "15 centuries" of acclaim for the Brazilian, such was his talent.
Stuart McAlpine Miller's piece depicts Pele alongside famous Walt Disney characters. Pele said of the works at the Halcyon Gallery: "Every artist has a message: that is the poor person who has won in life."
Stuart Mcalpine Miller - Playing the Field —
Stuart McAlpine Miller's piece depicts Pele alongside famous Walt Disney characters. Pele said of the works at the Halcyon Gallery: "Every artist has a message: that is the poor person who has won in life."
Stuart McAlpine Miller/Halcyon Gallery
Pele was a loyal servant to the club he signed with age 16 -- Santos. He spent 18 years there as a player, winning over 20 trophies and scoring more than 600 goals. "I had many offers to play for Real Madrid, in Milan and Manchester United," Pele said. "However Santos was doing well, I was playing well. I didn't want to leave. Nowadays, players leave very early."
Russell Young - Pele Brazil —
Pele was a loyal servant to the club he signed with age 16 -- Santos. He spent 18 years there as a player, winning over 20 trophies and scoring more than 600 goals. "I had many offers to play for Real Madrid, in Milan and Manchester United," Pele said. "However Santos was doing well, I was playing well. I didn't want to leave. Nowadays, players leave very early."
Halcyon Gallery
Raphael Mazzucco's work depicts Pele at the 1970 World Cup, which Brazil won. But Pele's aims were more modest when he started playing soccer: "The most I ever thought was that my dad was a good football player, he scored a lot of goals. His name was Dondinho. I wanted to be like him."
Raphael Mazzucco - Brazil —
Raphael Mazzucco's work depicts Pele at the 1970 World Cup, which Brazil won. But Pele's aims were more modest when he started playing soccer: "The most I ever thought was that my dad was a good football player, he scored a lot of goals. His name was Dondinho. I wanted to be like him."
Raphael Mazzucco/Halcyon Gallery
Stuart McAlpine Miller's Pele Triptych captures the color and passion Pele played with throughout his 21-year career. Asked how he thinks the game has changed, the Brazilian told CNN: "In the past, it was a profession filled with love, now it's just a profession."
Stuart Mcalpine Miller - Pele triptych —
Stuart McAlpine Miller's Pele Triptych captures the color and passion Pele played with throughout his 21-year career. Asked how he thinks the game has changed, the Brazilian told CNN: "In the past, it was a profession filled with love, now it's just a profession."
Stuart McAlpine Miller/Halcyon Gallery
"What we are showing here is the good side of the athlete, the positive side of the athlete that can serve as an inspiration for youngsters, children," Pele said. This Russell Young piece underlines the athleticism and dynamism that Pele possessed.
Russell Young - Pele Bicycle Kick —
"What we are showing here is the good side of the athlete, the positive side of the athlete that can serve as an inspiration for youngsters, children," Pele said. This Russell Young piece underlines the athleticism and dynamism that Pele possessed.
RUSSELL YOUNG/Halcyon Gallery
If Pele hadn't chosen a path in football, what might he have been? "Well, look it's a little difficult, because I really love composing music, playing the guitar, playing the violin," he revealed. "So perhaps if I wasn't a footballer I think I would compose music and sing."
Raphael Mazzucco - Pele —
If Pele hadn't chosen a path in football, what might he have been? "Well, look it's a little difficult, because I really love composing music, playing the guitar, playing the violin," he revealed. "So perhaps if I wasn't a footballer I think I would compose music and sing."
RAPHAEL MAZZUCCO/Halcyon Gallery