Paralympic Pele: Brazil hails the blind soccer star taking the Rio Games by storm

Born with glaucoma, Jeferson da Conceição Gonçalves, known as “Jefinho,” was completely blind by age seven, three years before he learned to play soccer. He had seen images of Pelé but never watched videos of the legendary Brazilian soccer player in action.

Yet Jefinho, who could win a third consecutive Paralympic gold medal with Brazil this week, has been dubbed the “Paralympic Pelé” for his success and playing style.

“It’s an honour for me to be compared to an athlete like Pelé,” said Jefinho, who, like others interviewed for this story, spoke through a translator.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known globally as “Pelé”, won three World Cup titles and was named the Athlete of the Century in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee.

“In the era that Pelé played, he played really well,” Tiago da Silva, Jefinho’s teammate, said, “but if he puts the blindfold on, he’s not going to play well.”

In Paralympic soccer, each team competes with four blindfolded players and one goalie who is not visually impaired.