New film highlights the doubts about Pele ahead of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup win

A new Netflix documentary charts Pele’s rise to superstardom (Nigel French/PA)

The 1970 World Cup sealed Pele’s legendary status, but a new Netflix documentary highlights how even one of the greatest ever had his doubters.

He had quit international football after the 1966 finals ended in injury for him and ignominy for his country, and there were many who would have been happy for him not to return for the finals in Mexico.