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

It takes 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 seen something we mostly only know from the old stories. Cuca, the man with the golden touch and a track record that speaks for itself in Brazilian football, has quite literally turned back the clock. He’s made a radical overhaul of the training schedule, using a method that dates back to the glory days of the greatest player to ever pull on the Santos shirt: Pelé.

Up with the sun, just like the old days

Cuca has shifted training to the early morning. No more sluggish afternoons in the sweltering heat; it’s all about getting to 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 that history. He’s referencing the old Pelecanus era, the affectionate name for the training method back in the 60s. Back then, the routine was to be on the pitch before sunrise, a rhythm that demanded discipline and dedication. I can already hear the old guard chuckling: “Finally, these guys today have no idea what hard work is.” But it works; it builds a bond, a sense of unity you can’t force.

The best part is that the current stars are embracing this old-school style. Neymar is known for his love of nightlife, but even he was the first on the pitch this week. No complaints, no antics. He grabbed the chance to show he still carries the legacy of the Pelerine – the traditional cape that symbolizes 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 field, showing that this change isn’t a punishment but a tribute.

The April marathon and the absence of a star

Cuca’s timing is no coincidence. Santos is facing a real grind in April. We’re talking about a marathon of matches that will demand everything from the squad. Playing three times a week for weeks on end takes its toll. And then there’s the news that Neymar will miss part of this stretch due to the international break. No need to panic, of course. We knew that. But it only makes Cuca’s choice more logical. He’s building an iron foundation now so the team doesn’t collapse when the big names are away.

• Physical readiness: By moving training earlier, Cuca forces the players to adjust their lifestyles. No more late nights; full focus on recovery.
• Mental toughness: This isn’t a popular choice, but it’s one that shapes a group. If you can’t handle this, you have no place in a title fight.
• Tradition as a weapon: At CT Rei Pelé, the spirit of the King is being invoked. It’s not just about tactics, but 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 pure passion and discipline. That’s the story Cuca is trying to sell to his men. Not through long speeches, but by having them out on the pitch at 6:00 AM, in the same morning mist where Pelé once perfected his tricks.

So yeah, the outside world can laugh at those “old-fashioned” methods. But I’ve seen it happen too many times. When you have a group that comes together to make these sacrifices, that puts in the work come rain or shine, at dawn or dusk, you become unstoppable. 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.