Legendary footballer Pele was watched by the Brazilian military during the country’s dictatorship era, records released on Monday showed.

According to the files made public by the Sao Paulo state government, the junta government kept tabs on the football superstar’s activities, including money transfers and alleged attacks on his home in 1973.

The military dictatorship, which ruled the South American country from 1964 to 1985, often probed potential opponents or those who were deemed leftists. It is unclear whether the star athlete was actually accused of being a leftist.

Pele -- whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- is regarded as one of the country’s greatest athletes.

After helping Brazil to win its first-ever World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old sensation, he led his country to two more World Cups in 1962 and 1970. He also scored a whopping 1,281 goals during his storied career.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)