Just for Kicks

Waldemar did.

Waldemar played soccer … he was good at it. And he scored goals. He played in 372 games … and he scored 228 times. He was so good he played 18 games for the national team scoring 18 goals. But then it was over and he retired. So, Waldemar decided to get into scouting and coaching young kids.

Fast forward 9 years … and Waldemar had coached his youth team to three consecutive state championships … all led by a 15 year old kid named Edson. Now Edson had been named after Thomas Edison the inventor, but his parents had chosen to drop the letter “I” thinking it sounded better. After watching Edson play so well Waldemar had a great idea … he took Edson to one of the most prestigious soccer clubs in the country … and told them they must sign the kid …as he was going to be the greatest player in the world … the club liked what they saw and signed him.

Edson scored in his very first professional game … and then he scored more … two years later, at 17, Edson joined the national team … and helped bring home a World Cup for his country! And then two more.

Today, Edson, the player Waldemar helped coach and then convinced a major club to sign is considered one of the greatest of all time … but his friends call him .. Pele.

Pele is a great idea – because when you see young talent … nurture it. You never know what might happen .. and you might even get a kick out of it.