Soccer legend Pele and former Manchester United star Eric Cantona held an autograph session at Singapore’s Courts megastore yesterday morning, attracting crowds of cheering fans.
Pele and Cantona are in Asia as ambassadors of the New York Cosmos, where Pele is honorary president and Cantona is director of soccer. The third ambassador on this trip is associate director of soccer Cobi Jones.
As well as promoting their club, the ambassadors’ Asian tour is focused on spreading goodwill through sport, developing young talent and building global partnerships.
Photo: CNA
Although the maximum number of participants in the autograph session was 100, about 400 fans turned up.
Those who got onto the list to receive autographs came prepared with balls, shirts, cards and books written by the stars. One of the fans who got an autograph told a Central News Agency reporter that he was overjoyed and his biggest dream had come true.
Some fans couldn’t get autographs, but they didn’t let their disappointment show. While some carried the flags of Pele’s and Cantona’s native countries — Brazil and France — others brought newspaper and magazine clippings or wore soccer shirts. Many came as a family and fathers were seen carrying their sons on their shoulders and cheering, while mothers took photos.
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