Sylvester Stallone Recalls Filming with Soccer Legend Pelé

Sylvester Stallone recently shared memories from filming the 1981 sports war movie Escape to Victory, where he starred alongside the late soccer legend Pelé. In an interview with The Rest Is Entertainment, Stallone, now 80, recounted an unforgettable moment on set.

The film followed prisoners of war during World War II, playing an exhibition soccer match against a German team. During production, Pelé demonstrated his soccer skills, impressing Stallone.

“Pelé broke my finger in that thing,” Stallone said, admitting his initial underestimation of the sport. He initially thought soccer looked easy but soon learned otherwise.

Stallone described the soccer balls from the World War II era as being more akin to bowling balls, being smaller and made of thick, brown leather. Players wore steel-toed shoes. Pelé challenged Stallone to guard the goal as he kicked a ball.

“I go, ‘Pssh, try your best,’” Stallone recalled. As Pelé kicked, the ball pierced an old World War II net and shattered windows protected by metal grates. Stallone marveled at the power of Pelé’s kick.

Pelé, renowned globally as one of soccer’s all-time greats, scored over 1,000 goals during his career. He passed away at 82 on December 29, 2022.