By Far The Greatest Team Football Podcast

Santos 1960–1966: Pelé, Lula & the Team That Ruled the World

How did Santos, led by Pelé, dominate Brazil, conquer the world, and redefine football in the 1960s?

Episode Summary

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney revisit the golden age of Santos FC from 1960 to 1966 — a period when a club from coastal Brazil became the most feared and celebrated team on the planet.

At the centre was Pelé, who joined Santos as a teenager and rose to become the game’s first global superstar. But Santos were no one-man show. Under the guidance of coach Lula, and alongside stars like Pepe, Coutinho, and Zito, Santos won multiple Campeonato Paulista titles, Copa Libertadores triumphs, and back-to-back Intercontinental Cups.

Beyond the trophies, Santos changed football itself. Their worldwide tours showcased Brazilian brilliance across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, helping to commercialise the game and spread the legend of Pelé to every corner of the globe. This era wasn’t just about winning — it was about transforming football into a global spectacle.

Style of Play

Santos played with the hallmarks of Brazilian “futebol arte” — attacking flair, fluid combinations, and relentless creativity. Lula’s tactics maximised Pelé’s genius but also relied on the wing play of Pepe, the finishing of Coutinho, and the leadership of Zito. They pressed forward with freedom, dazzling opponents with skill, speed, and goals, embodying the beauty of the Brazilian game.

Takeaways

• Pelé’s rise from teenage prodigy to world superstar at Santos
• Lula’s innovative coaching and the team’s tactical brilliance
• Santos’ dominance in Brazil and continental triumphs in the 1960s
• Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup victories
• Global tours that helped commercialise football and spread Brazilian style worldwide

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Listen now and relive the story of Santos 1960–1966 — Pelé’s team, Brazil’s pride, and one of the greatest sides in football history.

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