Europe is often regarded as the most promising destination for the best footballers around the world. Nevertheless, there are several football legends who never made a career in Europe, one of which is Pele.
Pele, who died on Friday (30/12/2022) in the morning WIB, was one of the many great footballers who have ever existed in the world and became an icon throughout football history.
The Brazilian footballer is called the greatest player in the history of the World Cup, playing an important role in the three times the success achieved by the Brazilian national team. He recorded 77 goals and 21 assists with the Selecao, nicknamed the Brazilian National Team, and remains the most successful Brazilian footballer of all time.
However, what is interesting is that Pele is one of the many footballers who did not make a career in Europe. He became one of the great footballers who spent his career in his own country.
Pele spent 18 years of his career with Santos. He managed to win the Brazilian Serie A six times, two Copa Libertadores trophies, and two Intercontinental Cups.
Then Pele spent the last two years of his career with the New York Cosmos and won the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship. Pele made 557 appearances for the two clubs and scored 538 goals.
However, Pele is not the only great footballer who never appeared in Europe. Here are four other great and legendary footballers who also never played in Europe.
Yasuhito Endo
Nicknamed Pirlo from Japan, Yasuhito Endo is one of a handful of elite footballers who were born in Asia.
Endo started his professional career with Japanese club, Yokohama Flugels, where he started his 23 year professional career which is still running today.
Now Endo is still active as a footballer even though he is already 41 years old. He still plays with Jubilo Iwata in the second tier of Japanese football.
Endo spent most of his professional career with Gamba Osaka, making over 500 appearances in 19 years at the club. Until now, the player from Japan has made 894 appearances and scored 137 goals and 181 assists.
He played an important role in Gamba Osaka’s success in winning the J-League 1 in 2005 and 2014. He has an extraordinary ability to release long-range passes and the ability to keep the ball between his legs.
Endo also made 152 appearances for the Japanese national team in his 13 years at international level.
Ricardo Bochini
Before the presence of Diego Maradona colored world football, Ricardo Bochini was the best Argentine footballer ever.
The Independiente legend was Diego Maradona’s idol and the hero who helped him develop. He is also the inspiration of Argentine footballers in showing a beautiful game on the gridiron.
Bochini is known for his incredible ability and consistent goalscoring.
After impressing with Independiente’s under-20 team, Bochini made his way up to the first team in 1972. He then spent 20 years professionally with his boyhood club, playing a key role in Independiente’s domination of Argentina and Latin American football in the first half of the era. 1970s.
In 634 appearances for Independiente, Bochini scored 97 goals and also made 28 appearances for the Argentina national team.
Charles Albert
Carlos Alberto was the captain of the Brazilian national team when they won the 1970 World Cup. He is considered one of the best defenders in the history of football.
The Brazilian footballer spent most of his professional career in his native country, representing some of Brazil’s biggest clubs, including Fluminense, Santos and Flamengo, where he spent a total of 15 years with them.
He spent his career traveling to North America, defending the New York Cosmos and California Surf for 11 years. Having the nickname O Capitao do Tri, Alberto made 743 appearances at club level and 53 appearances for Brazil.
Carlos Alberto’s stunning goal against Italy in the 1970 World Cup final is one of the 100 greatest moments in sporting history.
As a right back, Alberto scored a cumulative 72 goals for his club and national team.
Mane Garrincha
Garrincha is one of the best footballers from Brazil in history. The Brazilian striker was Pele’s lethal partner in the Selecao’s attacking line when he led Brazil to their first World Cup trophy in 1958.
Garrincha provided the assists for two goals against Sweden in the final to help the team to a 5-2 victory.
Injury in the second match of the 1962 World Cup kept Pele sidelined throughout the tournament, which meant that Garrincha became the spearhead of the Brazilian national team’s attack line.
He was the best player in the tournament, scoring two goals against England in the quarter-finals and another two goals against Chile in the semifinals.
Even though he had experienced a high fever ahead of the final match, the legendary striker played an important role in helping Brazil win 3-1 and ensure their second World Cup title. The legendary Brazilian forward spent his entire football career with the Brazilian club.
Garrincha was so idolized by his fans and to this day he is still the most talented and entertaining player in football history.