THE SIDELINES : Pele Plays to Mark 50th Birthday
<i> From Times Wire Services</i>
MILAN, Italy — Soccer great Pele celebrated his 50th birthday by playing with Brazil’s national team against a group of world all-stars in what he said was possibly his last appearance on a soccer field.
Pele, who led Brazil to three World Cup championships in the 1950s and ‘60s, wore the No. 10 jersey he made famous during the exhibition game Wednesday.
Pele surrendered to fatigue and emotion after 40 minutes, during which he made some clean passes, missed a long goal shot and led a fast counterattack in the 2-1 loss.
He ended his professional career in 1977 with the now-defunct New York Cosmos.
