José Fornos Rodrigues, aka Pepito, 79, doesn't remember the year. Pelé's mansion in Guarujá (São Paulo coast) was full of people. The Football King appeared in red pants and a blue shirt.
Cheerful, he pretended to be parading near the pool. He was applauded. This lasted until he approached Pepito. "So, what do you think?" "You look ridiculous. You look like a macaw."
From Pele's indignant reaction to the comment came the phrase that defined the 50-year relationship between the two. "I tell you what you need, not what you like to hear."
The friendship will continue, he says, but the professional connection ended earlier this month.
Pele, 81, has mobility problems, the result of surgery to put a hip replacement and knee injury.
"As he has these mobility limitations, he can't travel, he can't leave the house, I can't contribute or add anything. He needs a doctor, nurse, caregiver. He can't do what he used to do," summarized Pepito.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon