“His introduction came at 17, just after he’d dazzled aficionados in the ’58 World Cup with a semifinal hat trick and then two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 win over host Sweden in the final — the first score a circus act so flamboyant that it makes even black-and-white clips seem Technicolored.” The stadiums and infrastructure may not be complete, but Brazil’s top World Cup attraction is ready and waiting. From Sports Illustrated: Everybody wants a piece of PelĂ©.

+ Want to get fired up for soccer (or any other sporting event)? Watch this excellent monologue from Vision Quest.

+ The NYT has a two-part series on the fixed matches that cast a shadow over the World Cup.

+ 13 numbers from this year’s World Cup.