Pelé and Fleury Di Nallo, a photograph and an enduring memory | OneFootball

Fleury Di Nallo died on Wednesday aged 83. He cherished a photograph with Pelé from France v Brazil, 3-2, at Colombes on 28 April 1963.

According to L'Équipe, the image stayed on his phone’s home screen to the end, showing him, 20, leaving Colombes beside Pelé, then 22 and already a double world champion. The paper headlined “Pelé 3 - France 2” after the match. Its football desk later deemed his performances disappointing, pointing to technical errors.

It was the only time the King wore Brazil’s shirt in France, though he appeared there regularly with Santos. Di Nallo equalised at 2-2 that day, and across two caps he scored three goals, after a November debut against Hungary, 3-2. He did not convince national coach Henri Guérin.

Known as the Petit Prince de Gerland, he later recalled it was only his second cap and that Pelé even nutmegged him. Whenever football came up, he would show that photo.

Against Hungary, he played alongside Raymond Kopa. It was Kopa’s last cap and his first, and he addressed him as Monsieur.

Source: L'Équipe