Pelé was not just a football player; he became a global sports icon and a symbol of Brazil. His winning career has sparked the interest of fans and collectors around the world, making his figurines some of the most valuable items on the sports memorabilia market.

From the first stickers released in the late 1950s to modern autographed editions, Pelé's stickers tell the story of his career and reflect the evolution of sports collecting . In this article, we explore the King of Football's top stickers.

The emergence of football stickers

Collecting football stickers emerged as a way to bring fans closer to their idols, transforming images of players into valuable and desired items.

The context of stickers in the 1950s

In the 1950s, football stickers began to become popular as collectibles among fans and children around the world. Candy companies, magazines and publishers realized the commercial potential of these small images of players and began to include them in illustrated albums, encouraging fans to complete their collections . In Brazil and Europe, this market grew rapidly, with stickers being distributed in candy wrappers, chocolates and even matchboxes.

However, it was the 1958 World Cup, held in Sweden, that kickstarted the sports collectibles craze. With the tournament being broadcast internationally and the consecration of the young Pelé as a world star, the demand for player stickers increased significantly. This scenario led several publishers to launch collections dedicated to the great teams and athletes of the time, consolidating the culture of football stickers as part of the fans' passion .

The first Pelé sticker

The first Pelé sticker was released in 1957/1958 by the Brazilian company Oliveira & Benassi, and is considered by many collectors to be the true “Babe Ruth Rookie” of soccer. This sticker was part of a collection distributed along with an illustrated album, in which fans could paste them to complete their collections. However, most of these stickers were glued to the albums or lost over time, making loose copies extremely rare.

Unlike other Pelé debut stickers, such as the famous Alifabolaget from 1958, released in Sweden, the Oliveira & Benassi has a special historical value as it is the first to portray the young star at the beginning of his career. Its scarcity on the market makes it one of the most valuable and coveted stickers by football collectors around the world.

The main Pelé stickers

Pelé's stickers are some of the most iconic and valuable in the world of collecting , reflecting his trajectory as the greatest football player of all time.

Pelé stickers from 1958: the year of his international debut

The year 1958 marked Pelé's international rise and, consequently, the launch of some of the most valuable and sought-after stickers by collectors. Among them, the Alifabolaget (Sweden, 1958) stands out, considered the most prestigious and valued on the market.

Another rare piece from this era is the Swedish Rekord (1958), which was originally printed in a Swedish magazine and had to be manually cut out by fans, which increases its rarity. In Brazil, the publisher Aquarela released a special commemorative edition to celebrate the team's first world title, while AVE Ltda / Coleção Titulares brought an iconic collection of stickers featuring the country's top players.

In Germany, the company WS-Verlag innovated by producing stickers with real images of World Cup action, differentiating itself from the traditional static portraits. Bremer Fachring, another German publisher, distributed stickers in coffee packets , making them even harder to find in good condition.

These 1958 releases helped to consolidate the culture of collecting football stickers and contributed to immortalizing Pelé's image as a global icon of the sport.

Pelé stickers between 1959 and 1965: the consolidation of the King

Between 1959 and 1965, Pelé had already established himself as the greatest football player in the world, and his stickers continued to gain prominence among collectors.

Some editions from this period have become especially rare and valuable, such as the curious Remington Rand (1958), which was not originally a figurine, but rather a matchbox cover with the image of the star, later transformed into a collectible item.

In Brazil, Gazeta Esportiva (1958) released a special sticker of the Brazilian team , including Pelé, while Tupinambá (1958-1959) brought one of the most creative and colorful stickers of the time, with a vibrant design that captivated fans.

In Germany, the publisher Heinerle (1959) innovated by launching a sticker that showed Pelé in action , something rare at that time, when static portraits predominated. In 1965, two notable stickers were launched: Crack Golazo (Argentina, 1965), which stood out for its distinctive artistic style, and Panini (Italy, 1965), marking Pelé's first appearance on the iconic Italian brand, which would later become the world's biggest reference in football stickers.

This period consolidated Pelé not only as an idol on the field, but also as one of the most valuable names in sports collecting .

Pelé stickers between 1966 and 1970: the three-time championship and globalization

Between 1966 and 1970, Pelé was already a living legend of football and was on his way to becoming a three-time world champion with the Brazilian national team. This period marked the globalization of his image and the launch of memorable stickers .

Figuritas Sport (Argentina, 1967) stood out for featuring a unique illustration of Pelé wearing a crown, reinforcing his title as “King of Football”. In 1970, the year Pelé shone in the World Cup in Mexico, some of the most iconic stickers of his career were released. Panini Mexico (1970) became one of the most sought after, especially because it was produced in the same year as the team won its third championship and due to the growing popularity of the Panini brand on the international market. Another rarity from this period is Poly Verlag (Germany, 1970), distributed by a Swiss company and which became a valuable item for European collectors.

With the definitive conquest of the Jules Rimet Cup and his consecration as the greatest player in history, Pelé's stickers from this phase became even more valued, consolidating his legacy in world sports collecting.

The current market for Pelé stickers

The current market for Pelé stickers is hotter than ever, with collectors from all over the world competing for rare examples at auctions that frequently break price records.

Vintage figurines , such as the 1958 Alifabolaget and the 1957/1958 Oliveira & Benassi, are among the most valuable, due to their extreme rarity, state of conservation and authenticity.

In addition to classic pieces , interest in Pelé has also driven the launch of new collections and reissues. Panini, for example, reissued historic trading cards in the 2000s, allowing new collectors to access modern versions of classic cards. In addition, autographed trading cards from contemporary editions, such as Topps, Panini Prizm and Sportkings, have become highly coveted, especially by fans seeking exclusive memorabilia signed by the King of Football himself.

With the growing interest in sports collecting and the immortalization of Pelé as the greatest player in history, his stickers continue to increase in value and maintain a status as relics in the world of football.

FAQ

What is Pelé's most valuable sticker?

The Alifabolaget figurine (1958), released in Sweden, is the most valuable and has already sold for more than 1 million dollars at auction.

Why are some Pelé stickers so rare?

Many old stickers were glued into albums, lost or damaged over time, making well-preserved examples extremely rare.

Where can I evaluate and sell Pelé stickers?

You can evaluate and sell on the website www.glorias.com.br , specialized in rare documents.

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