Though this story is based on real events, its characters are fictionalized
and not intended to resemble or discredit any actual persons.
Pelé! Pelé!
Poor João.
No one congratulates him. No one wants a picture with him.
It's unbelievable that we, sports leaders,
who bring these assholes here, never get any recognition,
you know?
I find it quite unfair.
EL PRESIDENTE: CORRUPTION GAME
FIFA is a country…
FIFA is a stagnant country.
The elections are a scam.
That is why I am officially announcing my candidacy for president.
My FIFA will be big enough to fit everyone.
I will answer any of your questions now.
Yes?
Will Pelé stay on the national team?
I've been feeling weird for a while.
It started when João didn't resign.
I must confess, it is a rejuvenating feeling, you know?
That's what the devil does, my child.
But don't worry.
He needs to get energy from somewhere.
Darn it!
Go, La Calera Sport Club!
What happened?
It's a very strong demon.
I've never seen anything like that before.
You are totally right to be worried.
So João embarked on an almost impossible mission.
He needed to get the support of a country
to take on the old FIFA.
Who would have thought that this shitty place in Paraguay
would become the main business hub of football?
CONMEBOL'S "FIRST HEADQUARTERS" PARAGUAY
Diplomatic immunity included.
Until FIFA-gate came along and screwed us all.
You sucked the Europeans' dicks in Zurich.
Right. Are you Brazilian or Belgian?
Make up your mind, buddy.
I believe that our time has come
to act a group, as if we were twin countries.
Now that you have this grandeur and crazy idea
of becoming the president of FIFA, you come to us?
They have a point.
It's not clear which team you're playing for, João.
You're right.
I apologize if you didn't feel I supported you in the past,
but now, I see it clearly.
We are Latin Americans.
We have to support each other.
Guys, I suggest we take a vote.
Who supports Havelange as the president of FIFA?
South America, the great homeland, united.
We never get along though.
Peru supports you, João,
but I don't see how you could take FIFA from them.
It's always the same ones voting.
And always for the same people.
The truth is that nobody believed in him,
not even his military friends, who only cared about...
Havelange, I will say one thing.
You must have Pelé play in the next World Cup.
WEST GERMANY
No.
HERMAN LEHMAN GERMAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION
ÁLVARO OLIVEIRA PORTUGUESE FOOTBALL FEDERATION
PACO LOPEZ GIL ROYAL SPANISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION
He came back from Europe utterly defeated.
Of course, who would bet on a South American
if they could do it themselves?
How was it, Marie?
I don't like to see you with that face.
Before long, I'll be ashamed to say I'm your friend.
Do you remember when I started?
I told myself I needed to make good connections.
I succeeded and then, I had a lot of people around me.
They all wanted my money.
But no one wants to admit that they're friends with a bicheiro,
even if you're the best.
A while later, I changed my focus
and started to pay attention to the poor.
I knew I could make more friends there.
Two years of suffering, and João could not move forward.
Sweetie, which continent has the most countries?
Africa, right? It's huge.
With these fights for independence, there will be even more.
I am an idiot. Why didn't I think about this before?
Those countries love football.
They will not vote for those who discriminate against them.
That's wonderful!
Now that João knew that Africa was a possible source of votes,
all he needed was an opportunity.
Africa!
Here I come!
João, like the good swimmer he was,
dove head first into the murky waters of politics.
If you tell the marginalized what they want to hear,
just like religions,
you need to make them believe in something
or someone, and that someone will save them.
Politics is like that, sucker! From here to China.
Brazil is full of sissies.
I found that African's business card.
Serafin Domingos?
I'm glad to hear from you. How are you doing?
I've always dreamed of a friendship between Africa and Brazil.
Did they think Havelange was a simple sports leader?
No way. At that time, football didn't generate money.
So João combined his passion
with his career at Wesbra, a weapons factory,
and COMETA, a transportation company.
Let's picture the situation, okay?
On one side, we have all these toys, all these things that I'm showing you.
On the other, we have Africa.
Conflict, famine, war, revolution, a mess.
It was just a matter of putting them together.
You want me to follow you to Africa
to help you solve some issues there,
and, in exchange, I bring my gambling work there.
It's a good day. Get yourself a soda.
I'll get some brandy.
And when you become FIFA's president, the Confederation is mine?
Exactly. Do we have a deal?
-We have a deal. -There you go.
Next round is on the house!
Bangu will win!
We should call The King.
He got in trouble with some real estate business.
He's broke. That is why he does so many ads.
Did it go south?
It wasn't a good idea to give your brother Beto access to your bank account.
Edinho, it was just a trip, brother.
BETO PELÉ'S BROTHER
If I ever need Pelé, kill me.
I'll be damned.
One day, you want a spiritual retreat, then you want to go to Africa.
I don't know if that's a good place for you to go right now.
What about you? One day, you want to quit everything.
Next, you want to be the football king. No difference.
You know, I'm feeling much better.
The continent is in chaos. Every country has its own rules.
Let me go with you. Just once.
It will be good for me.
Fine.
It is not a vacation. It is business.
Castor is going with us. It's not negotiable.
Castor...
At least we won't share the same room, right?
By the way, how can a man run for president
without his wife by his side?
FIFA'S HEADQUARTERS ZURICH
FIFA represents football.
The CAF wants to get us involved in political matters.
Mr. Boher came to talk to us about football and nothing else.
HENDRICK BOHER SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
I swear I don't have that much imagination.
This is how it happened. Sort of... But it happened.
GUINEA-BISSAU
Welcome to Africa,
a continent looted and enslaved by Europe
in full swing.
In terms of sports, things were rough.
Because of apartheid,
South Africa, a country of great black players,
only accepted whites on their national team.
João was whiter than the Queen of England,
so he would have a really hard time.
This is the most important man in Congress.
I know Tessema.
He spoke at the World Cup in Mexico.
But Tessema is a celebrity.
It's hard to meet him.
It's harder for a white guy with a European name.
RACIST FIFA
And the anger of some was a golden opportunity for others.
No rooms available.
How come?
I thought they'd be flexible, since it's an international meeting,
but they're kicking white Europeans out. Too many years of oppression.
Just a minute.
They said we have no reservation.
-He said we have no reservation. -João.
TESSEMA - PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION - CAF
We'll have to share this room.
I'll get another one tomorrow. Single.
João.
Act a little more humbly.
I must get in. Damn it!
-Calm down! -What am I here for?
Look! That's Alberto.
Mr. Tessema's right hand.
ALBERT TESSEMA'S RIGHT HAND
Pelé's national team jersey.
Please let him in. João.
MENTAL DISORDERS? NIGHTMARES? CONFUSION?
OLUWASHINA MOTHER SHE HEALS EVERYTHING
FAYE BOSSARD LONG-TIME FIFA ASSISTANT
Hey, have you ever heard that the world is a small place?
Well, see if it isn't.
Hey, Serafin. Tell me. Any news?
It's not possible.
We came here to talk to Tessema.
Guess who I made a deal with. You won't believe it.
Who was it? Tell me.
-Tessema's secretary. -Are you nuts?
Did you sell weapons to Tessema's secretary?
-Are you nuts? -Calm down.
You can't do that!
He doesn't know and never will.
-Are you sure? -Don't you trust me? Relax.
You are too stressed out.
Let's take advantage of this.
Sure. Right.
-Go and talk to him. -All right.
And yes, the world is a small place.
But it takes guys with business brains
to make the world luxurious,
not an ordinary small place.
It's time.
You will speak at the Congress.
And we're all on the list.
Hello?
Hi, Dorinha.
Wait! What happened?
The executives or the organization should be reacting in such a situation.
Don't worry, my love. It's going to be all right, okay?
I thought that traveling so far away would be nice.
I am reckless.
I need to go back, please.
I'm about to make a very important speech that might change everything, okay?
Your father always scares us like this.
Look. Go back to the hotel and get some rest, okay?
Something else.
There's a cocktail party.
I'll be back late.
Suckers, what else do you want him to do?
The man gave his all.
He came here, spent his money,
he gave a great speech, even spoke to them in English,
and yet it was not enough.
The African Confederation decided to leave FIFA,
and João did not get any support.
We're going back tomorrow.
Or you give me my passport, and I'll go.
It's over!
CAF is no longer part of FIFA. Let's go back!
If anything happens to my father and I'm not there...
Bebel, my future is your future.
I can't leave before speaking to Tessema.
I would lose everything.
The military's trust. CONMEBOL's support.
I'll lose everything.
Do you understand?
Finally, Havelange and Tessema met.
Do you think they agreed on the spot?
Quite the opposite.
Face to face, things got even more complicated.
Sweetheart!
What was that? Thank you!
Can we go back now?
We can do anything you want, honey.
Your boyfriend hasn't visited me for a while.
We're married, Dad.
But he has been too busy lately.
You got married already?
I get it now.
I bet he won't let you graduate.
We're not going just with Pelé, but with the whole team.
João, Serafin called.
It seems they are paying 30% less than agreed.
If they support me, it's fine. They will come to our side, Salinas.
They will call my name.
I need a reservation for 20 people.
Yes, that's right.
Salinas, CONMEBOL's President, that's right.
A match between Uganda and Brazil, please.
Call this one.
João finally managed to convince everyone,
Tessema, the players, even the military.
But, the most important thing was missing.
Pelé called. He is not coming.
I need your help with Pelé.
He doesn't want to come.
Find a way to convince him.
What do you know about his brother?
-Zoca? He's a great kid. -No, Beto.
He acts as if he were Pelé's agent.
Right, Beto.
Beto, you know...
Beto is in jail, man. He loves to party.
-In jail? -Yes.
This woman is crazy! What the fuck, man!
If you want to dress like a king...
dress like Pelé.
That's how it was in the '70s.
Even The King, Pelé, had to do publicity and sell clothes, you know?
If it was different time, Pelé would go. But Pelé is too tired now.
And there's more. They are paying very little money, Havelange.
It's not enough money.
Look.
I'm going to be FIFA's President.
You can be the ambassador of world football
and make money without playing.
The next step is to turn you into a brand.
King Pelé must think about his future.
-I'm not coming. -Edson, look.
I'll say this as a father.
Don't let this opportunity get away.
We are family.
-Haven't I proven that to you? -But there's Beto.
Beto is part of our family.
We will help him.
What's up, Beto?
Castor wants to talk to you.
Thank you, Castor.
It's not me you should be thanking. Your debt is with Havelange. Get in.
Get in.
Sit over there, man.
After a long journey, Havelange was back in Africa.
These nations were fighting against colonialism,
but there was only one king they had no intention of overthrowing.
That was João's one trick up his sleeve,
King Pelé. Pelé, Pelé, Pelé.
It's a pleasure. Thank you.
Pelé! Pelé! Pelé!
Hello, Zaire!
Hello, dear Africa. Pelé is very happy to be here.
MOZAMBIQUE
I love you!
I love you, Pelé!
Havelange!
You said there were just five matches. No way.
-No way. -Edson, listen.
Two more matches, I swear.
I got a problem, too. They want me back home.
My friend. Thank you.
Thank you.
João, Tessema wants eight more matches.
Eight?
That's crazy, Havelange? No way.
Too much football. Too little money. Edinho will get hurt.
Beto, relax. We can let him play less time.
João,
something terrible has happened.
Albert was murdered. Tessema's right hand.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Tessema is devastated.
It's very complicated here, honey. Too many things. Tessema, Pelé, Beto...
I understand what is going on with you.
But there is a lot happening here, too.
Your father will be fine.
-No, João. -Your father is tough.
I want to know when you're coming back.
I never ask for anything.
I need you with me.
-I'm coming, honey. -No, João.
"I'm coming" isn't an answer.
Havelange, the fans in our rooms don't work.
The shower is a trickle. We can't get clean.
And this hotel is terrible. It's falling apart.
Don't worry, Pelé.
You have a boss who knows how to take care of you, okay?
Here's the key to my room.
Go check the room. You can enjoy some fresh air.
Go and relax. All right?
Don't worry. I'll get another room for me.
Let's go, Pelé. Come, Edinho.
Really, this is undignified. This place is too hot.
You can't keep sending me to work like this.
If you don't mind, we are going to Chile,
where it is much cooler
and where the Soviet Union refused to play the playoffs against Chile,
claiming that the Chilean government tortured prisoners in the stadium.
HELP
NIGERIA
Pelé! Pelé! Pelé!
What's up, Edson!
How are you doing?
I'm not playing, Havelange.
Too many matches. I told you. I can't.
I told you.
João.
-We can ask to postpone it. -No, they will eat us alive.
We have to play a match in each country.
-But... -Each match is a vote.
Beto!
You're playing.
What?
Havelange, this is crazy.
Everybody knows Pelé.
-Is Beto playing? -Edinho...
I've always wanted to play in a stadium, bro.
I'm ready.
And so he would have to return.
Tired, hopeless...
However, Havelange would not give up so easily.
He was willing to do anything to chase his dream.
This sucks, man! We were this close to getting the fucking votes!
That's just bullshit.
The Brazilians were retreating,
and King Pelé was returning to his homeland as exhausted as I was.
However...
Edson!
I got great news! I just got a call.
Mandela wants to meet you.
Is it true or is it just another lie?
It's true.
We're going to South Africa in a few hours.
Pelé is coming.
But he will go for Mandela.
Edson...
Thank you.
Those are not fireworks.
They are bombs.
We are in the middle of the Nigerian Civil War.
Yes, Pelé.
Could there be a more peaceful match than one played without opponents?
Here begins the only match in history played by just one team.
On the other side of the ocean, in Africa, another one began. The match for peace.
And they say football has nothing to do with politics.
You know what? Football is life or death.
There are times when losing seems inevitable.
Games are played everywhere.
It's an emergency!
Fuck!
But all of a sudden, a goal can be more powerful than a bomb...
than any missile.
It can also be a white flag, capable of curbing the most profound hate.
He's like a son to me.
He's between life and death.
My father, too.
The only problem is that it can be a can of worms,
and scoring an own goal is always a possibility.
SOUTH AFRICA
Whites on one side, blacks on the other.
Sadly, this was South Africa during apartheid
which was causing so much pain and strife.
The source of the discord is the reason why Havelange
has a chance of making it to FIFA.
Edson,
I'll ask you to come in.
We'll take a photo, the three of us. Then you leave me alone with him.
I need this photo alone with him.
Sometimes to win a game, you have to let the best kicker kick.
I want to thank you, Havelange.
This trip changed my life forever.
How so?
I don't know yet.