New York Cosmos (1975–1977)

The New York Cosmos had been trying to sign Pelé since the club was founded. In June 1975 he agreed. He signed on 10 June for a reported $1.4 million a year, a huge sum for an athlete at the time, and was presented to the press at New York's 21 Club in a chaotic scene.

Five days later he played his first game, an exhibition against the Dallas Tornado at Downing Stadium on Randalls Island. CBS broadcast it, and the match was shown in 22 countries. The pitch had so little grass that the groundsman reportedly sprayed it green. Pelé scored in a 2–2 draw.

Soccer in the United States was struggling. Matches drew small crowds and little coverage. Pelé changed that almost at once. Other famous players followed him to the North American Soccer League: Giorgio Chinaglia came to the Cosmos in 1976, and Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto in 1977. George Best, Johan Cruyff, Eusébio, Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks all played in the league in these years. Pelé was voted the league's most valuable player in 1976.

In 1977 the Cosmos moved to the new Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Crowds grew to more than 70,000. On 28 August, in Portland, Oregon, they beat the Seattle Sounders 2–1 to win Soccer Bowl '77. It was Pelé's last competitive match.

His farewell came on 1 October 1977 at Giants Stadium, against Santos, before 75,646 people. Muhammad Ali, Bobby Moore and Pelé's father were there. He played the first half for the Cosmos and scored with a free kick, then played the second half for Santos. The Cosmos retired his number 10. It rained, and a Brazilian newspaper wrote the next day that even the sky was crying.

Counting league and play-off games, he scored 37 goals in 64 matches for the Cosmos.