Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin 12:56 a.m., December 30, 2022, modified at 12:59 a.m., December 30, 2022

After the announcement of the death of legend Pelé at the age of 82, Michel Drucker returned to the career of this football legend on the program "Europe 1 Sport".

From his relationship with the "King", the host has very good memories including a symbolic gift received after the 1970 World Cup final from the hands of Pelé.

Pelé, a true global football icon, died Thursday in Sao Paulo from colon cancer at the age of 82.

Sad news which led to a cascade of tributes including that of Michel Drucker in the program 

Europe 1 Sport.

Anyone who commented on five World Cups during his career as a sports journalist remembers one competition in particular: the 1970 World Cup won by Brazil, also the last for the legend Pelé.

A historic moment that Michel Drucker is not ready to forget: "As soon as the final whistle sounded, it was his last World Cup, he was in tears. He took off his jersey and, shirtless, he walked around the stadium for very, very long minutes to say goodbye to the whole world," said the television host.

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Final shoes

It was also during this planetary event that the two men learned to rub shoulders: "We got on very well, he was an extremely nice person", recalls Michel Drucker.

"King" Pelé and Michel Drucker become friends.

And it was on his return to Europe shortly after this coronation that Pelé decided to offer a particularly symbolic gift to the television host.

"When he came back to Europe, he gave me the shoes from his 1970 final which were Pumas at the time," explained Michel Drucker in

Europe 1 Sport

.

Shoes that Michel Drucker then offered to a disabled boy.

"I keep fond memories" of the triple world champion explained Michel Drucker.

A football legend who is leaving and who for the former sports journalist has never had a real comparison.

"Pelé was both Maradona plus Messi plus Mbappé plus Cristiano Ronaldo plus Zidane. He was a monument, he was a living God", concluded Michel Drucker in

Europe 1 Sport

.