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

It takes some getting used to at the CT Rei Pelé, but the atmosphere is spot on. Anyone walking into the Santos FC training complex in recent days would have seen something we only really know from the old stories. Cuca, the man with the Midas touch and a track record that speaks for itself in Brazilian football, has quite literally turned back the clock. He’s made a radical change to the training schedules, using a method that dates back to the glory days of the greatest player to ever wear the Santos shirt: Pelé.

Early to rise, just like the old days

Cuca has shifted training to the early morning. No more sluggish afternoons in the blazing heat; instead, it’s about getting the work done as the sun comes up. It’s a move you only dare to make if you have the club’s history at your fingertips. And Cuca does. He’s harking back to the old Pelecanus era, as the training method was affectionately known in the ’60s. Back then, it was the norm to be on the pitch before sunrise, a rhythm that demanded discipline and dedication. I can already hear the old guard chuckling: “Finally, these young lads have no idea what hard work is.” But it works. It builds a bond, a sense of togetherness you just can’t force.

The best part is that the current stars are embracing this old-school approach. Neymar is known for enjoying the nightlife, but even he was the first one on the pitch this week. No complaints, no antics. He seized the moment to show that he still carries the legacy of the Pelerine – the traditional cape that symbolises the elegance and stature of the playmaker. That’s no small feat. Neymar isn’t just the star player; he’s now the leader on the pitch, showing everyone that this change isn’t a punishment, but a tribute.

The April marathon and the absence of a key player

The timing of Cuca’s intervention is no coincidence. Santos is facing a real grind 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. And then there’s the news that Neymar will miss part of this run due to the international break. No need to panic, of course. We knew that was coming. But it only makes Cuca’s choice more logical. He’s building an iron foundation now, so the team doesn’t crumble the moment the big guns are away.

• Physical readiness: By moving training earlier, Cuca forces the players to adjust their lifestyle. No more late nights, just total focus on recovery.
• Mental toughness: This isn’t a popular decision, but it’s one that moulds a group. Anyone who can’t handle it has no place in a title race.
• Tradition as a weapon: At the 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 São Paulo coast. 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 the 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 on the pitch at 6:00 AM, in the same morning mist where Pelé once perfected his tricks.

So yes, the outside world may scoff at these "old-fashioned" methods. But I’ve seen it happen too many times. If you have a group that makes these sacrifices together, that puts their shoulders to the wheel in the pouring rain or at the crack of dawn, then you’re unstoppable. 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 once paved by the King.