In a special honour to football legend Pelé, the inaugural NEXGEM International Academy Tournament will host Brazilian club Santos FC Academy in a talent showdown set to take place at the iconic Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago on December 12–14, 2025.
A three-time World Cup winner and golden boot hero, Pelé died at a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, three years ago.
To date, Pelé is the only footballer to have won three FIFA World Cup Trophies. Thus, it’s only fitting for us to pay homage to this footballing genius, who once visited our soil. Let’s put this into perspective.
He is regarded as one of the best footballers to have graced the game and is credited with scoring 1,281 goals across an amazing career.
From a young age, Pelé wanted to be a pilot but changed his mind after seeing his father cry when Brazil lost the 1950 FIFA World Cup to Uruguay. That very same day, Pelé promised his dad he would win the World Cup for him. In reality, he went on to win three.
The journey started in 1956, at the age of 15, when Pelé was taken to Santos FC Academy on trial by the former Brazil striker legend, Waldemar de Brito. After Pelé’s first training session with Santos FC Academy, he was immediately put into the first team by coach Luís Alonso Pérez, known as Lula. Pelé scored on his debut. Two years later, at 17 years old, Pelé was included in Brazil’s 1958 World Cup squad, which he won, and the rest is history. He still remains the youngest ever goalscorer in a World Cup final. Legend!
Pelé to football is like Ali to boxing, Tiger Woods to golf, Michael Schumacher to Formula 1, and Michael Jordan to basketball. These legends had a significant impact on their sport on a global stage.
“Pele has changed it all. Pele turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: he gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone, but his magic remains. Pele is forever.” – Brazilian Superstar, Neymar Jr
Pele’s first visit to Trinidad was in 1987. He later visited Trinidad and Tobago in 1994 for the Shell Caribbean Cup final in Port-of-Spain.
According to the CEO of NexGem, KT Cunningham, the humility, calm confidence, elegance in movement, and the big warm smile are qualities you immediately notice upon meeting Pele.
“I was overwhelmed in awe when I met him back in 1994, and a group of us had lunch with him. So, we are delighted to have his football family at the NIAC tournament in Tobago,” Cunningham said.
“Hosting the famous Santos FC Academy on the soil that the ‘King of Football’ once graced will be absolutely special. Paying tribute to the man alongside his academy is simply amazing.”
Coach Dexter Cyrus, who will manage the U16 team, almost met King Pele in 1994 while representing the Trinidad & Tobago men’s national team at the Shell Caribbean Cup. “Pele’s persona and grace were awe-inspiring, yet he was down to earth and made you feel like one of his friends by greeting everyone with a big hug,” Cyrus noted on reflection. “We at NexGem aspire to bring more academies to play here to boost tourism and develop our young players through exposure at elite-level tournaments.”
The academy will arrive with a strong roster of quality players, including the combative midfielder and Brazil national player Gustavo Colaneri, the lethal goal-scoring prowess of Miguel Dos Santos, and the skilful, creative midfielder Ravi Dorea.
If this selection of quality is not enough, then the home crowd is about to be wowed: the King of Football’s grandson will also make his appearance.
Alongside Santos FC, the tournament will feature top academies from England, Sweden, the USA, the Caribbean, and more, creating a diverse and competitive field. The tournament is also aimed at challenging teams technically and physically but also helping young athletes grow in confidence, discipline, teamwork, and giving them tournament preparation skills.
A lot of Santos FC Academy graduates have gone on to become world-class players, such as Neymar and Robinho. They have played at the biggest clubs in the world, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, and more, and should serve as inspiration to the young players in the tournament.
The trip to Tobago marks a significant milestone for the academy’s young players, offering them a unique platform to challenge themselves in a different footballing environment.
For three days, fans from all over the Caribbean will flock for this historic moment of football, entertainment, and cultural exchange.
As anticipation builds, fans and families are eagerly awaiting December 2025. To be part of this unique tournament, tickets can be purchased online or at nearby stores.
