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

It’s taking some getting used to at CT Rei Pelé, but the mood is good. Anyone walking into Santos FC’s training complex over the past few days would have spotted something we normally 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 literally turned back the clock. He’s overhauled the training schedule, and he’s doing it with a method that harks back to the glory days of the greatest player ever to wear the Santos shirt: Pelé.

Up with the lark, just like the old days

Cuca has moved training to the early morning. No more lethargic afternoons in the sweltering heat; it’s all about working as the sun comes up. It’s a move you only dare to make if you know the club’s history inside out. And Cuca does. He’s harking back to the old Pelecanus days, the affectionate nickname 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 just hear the old guard chuckling: “Finally, these lads today don’t know the meaning of hard work.” But it works; it builds a bond, a sense of unity you can’t manufacture.

The best part is that the current stars are embracing this old-school style. Neymar is known for enjoying the nightlife, but even he was first on the pitch this week. No complaints, no fuss. He seized his chance to show that he still carries the mantle 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 also the leader on the pitch, showing that this change isn’t a punishment, but a tribute.

The April marathon and the absence of a top man

The timing of Cuca’s intervention is no coincidence. Santos faces a proper gruelling schedule in April. We’re talking about a marathon of fixtures that will push the squad to its limits. Weeks of playing three times a week take their toll. And then there’s the news that Neymar will miss part of this run due to the international break. No panic, mind you. We knew that already. But it makes Cuca’s choice all the more logical. He’s building an iron foundation now, so the team doesn’t collapse the moment 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 is one that moulds a group. Anyone who can’t handle it has no place in the 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 boy 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 with long speeches, but by having them on the pitch at 6am, in the same morning mist where Pelé once perfected his skills.

So yes, the outside world may scoff at these “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 digs in during torrential rain or at daybreak, then you’re unbeatable. It’s more than a training schedule; it’s a statement. Santos is ready for it. And Cuca? He knows he’s walking the only path that matters: the one paved long ago by the King.