Cuca brings back Pelé’s method at Santos: ‘This is the only way’

It’s taking some getting used to at CT Rei Pelé, but the vibe is good. Anyone walking through Santos FC’s training complex in recent days would have spotted something we only really know from the old stories. Cuca, the man with the golden touch and a track record that speaks for itself in Brazilian football, has literally turned back the clock. He’s overhauled the training schedule, using a method that dates back to the glory days of the greatest player to ever wear the Santos shirt: Pelé.

Early birds, just like the old days

Cuca has moved training to the early morning. No more sluggish afternoons in the scorching heat; it’s about putting in the work as the sun comes up. It’s a move you only dare to make when you know the club’s history inside out. And Cuca knows it. He’s referencing the old Pelecanus era, the affectionate name for the training method back in the ’60s. Back then, being on the pitch before sunrise was the norm, a rhythm that demanded discipline and commitment. I can just hear the old guard chuckling: “Finally, these young blokes have no idea what hard work is.” But it works; it creates a bond, a sense of unity you can’t fake.

The best part is that today’s stars are embracing this old-school approach. Neymar is known for loving the nightlife, yet even he was first on the pitch this week. No complaints, no drama. He grabbed the chance to show he still carries the legacy of the Pelerine – the traditional cape that symbolises the elegance and status of the playmaker. That’s no small thing. Neymar isn’t just the star player; he’s now the captain on the pitch, showing that this change isn’t a punishment, but a tribute.

The April marathon and missing a star

The timing of Cuca’s move is no coincidence. Santos is facing a massive schedule in April. We’re talking about a marathon of matches that will push the squad to its absolute limit. Playing three times a week for weeks on end takes its toll. Then there’s the news that Neymar will miss part of that run due to international duty. No need to panic. We knew that already. But it makes Cuca’s choice even more logical. He’s building an iron foundation now so the team doesn’t crumble when the big names are away.

• Physical readiness: By moving training earlier, Cuca forces the players to adjust their lifestyle. No more late nights; total focus on recovery.
• Mental resilience: This isn’t a popular choice, but it’s one that shapes a group. If you can’t handle this, you’re not cut out for a title fight.
• Tradition as a weapon: At CT Rei Pelé, the spirit of the King is being summoned. It’s not just about tactics; it’s about understanding the weight of the shirt.

I often think about what Wayne Rooney once said about the English way of training: “It’s not about the clock, it’s about the will.” Cuca has brought that will back to the coast of São Paulo. He’s not looking at what’s trendy in Europe; he’s looking at what works for Santos. And what works is the legacy of Pelé: Birth of a Legend. That film, which portrays a young Pelé, shows exactly what it’s all about: a kid who started with nothing and became an icon through sheer passion and discipline. That’s the story Cuca is trying to sell to his men. Not through long speeches, but by having them on the pitch at 6:00 am, in the same morning mist where Pelé once perfected his tricks.

So yeah, the outside world might scoff at these “old-fashioned” methods. But I’ve seen it happen too many times. When you have a group that makes these sacrifices together, that digs in during a downpour or at the crack of dawn, you’re unbeatable. It’s more than a training schedule; it’s a statement. Santos is ready. And Cuca? He knows he’s walking the only path that matters: the one paved by the King.