Pele in heavyweight book launch

Sao Paulo: Brazilian football legend Pele on Wednesday launched a luxury limited edition book documenting his career, which will be unveiled in Dubai at an as-yet-to-be-announced date.

“It’s very moving to see all of these photos,” said the 72-year-old widely regarded as the world’s greatest ever player, who burst on the scene in 1958 as a 17-year-old to help fire Brazil to their first World Cup.

The book, entitled “1283” after the number of goals scored by O Rei (the king) and unveiled in Sao Paulo, weighs 15kg and costs 3,600 reais ($1,700).

Only 1,283 copies are being printed of the luxury tome, which contains 500 pictures and 1,283 texts.

Pele said on his Twitter account that looking back at images of his career “makes me think of all the people who loved and helped me during my career: My family, friends, the fans.”

A luxury edition of the work containing an iconic signed picture of Pele with a heart-shaped patch of sweat following a game will be available at a cool $2,600.

“This really makes me well up. It is a legacy I left for Brazil,” Pele said, dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief.

He also related how during the 1966 World Cup in England he had missed out on a Beatles show when the band were at their own zenith.

“A Beatles representative called up saying they wanted to put on a show for us. But the technical commission vetoed it,” he revealed.

“A while later I met John Lennon and we spoke about it. One of the people then in charge said, ‘I’m not going to let those hairy guys in’,” joked Pele.

The book will have an October 29 launch in London, with later dates to be set for New York and Dubai.

It has not been confirmed whether the Brazil legend will be here to launch the book.