Each sport has a universally-known name player that captivated the sport when they played. Baseball has Babe Ruth. Basketball has Michael Jordan. Hockey has Wayne Gretzky. Soccer fans have Pelé, and he is now about to be the feature of a much-anticipated biopic. The trailer for Pelé: Birth of a Legend has been released and it has soccer fans excited.
Yes, that is Vincent D’Onofrio playing Vincente Fiola, the manager and coach who ends up leading Brazil in the World Cup that year (no spoilers, just in case). Rodrigo Santoro (300, Love Actually) and Colm Meaney (Deep Space Nine, Hell on Wheels) also show up. As for the titular character, he is played by Leonardo Carvalho and Kevin de Paula, who split the role based on ages.
The film has been delayed for a while, but the trailer looks to suggest the wait may have been worth it. Originally supposed to be released prior to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the post-production process has continued to push the release back.
Pelé: Birth of a Legend is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 6 and will be available via video on demand service starting May 13.
About Kevin McGuire
Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.