Pele's 'Santasticos' who ruled the world

'O Rei', Pepe, Coutinho and the rest of the 'Santasticos' put the Vila Belmiro club on the map during 10 glorious years, during which the Brazilians enjoyed unprecedented success.As Santos fanatics in Brazil and across the world prepare for the club's landmark centenary this Saturday, perhaps this is the right time to look at the unique place the Peixe occupy in the nation's football. The little institution based in the port suburb of Sao Paulo which carries the same name is familiar to aficionados of the 'Beautiful Game' from across the globe, a reputation which belies its standing back in the South American country. Santos cannot claim to be one of the best-supported clubs across the nation; with around five million domestic fans, the team has less than a sixth of those who pledge their loyalties to Flamengo, and also comfortably trail Paulista rivals Corinthians, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo in recent studies. Their local adversaries all lead the Vila Belmiro outfit in terms of State Championship victories, while just two Brasileirao titles have made their way to the club in the last 44 years.As this weekend's festivities will prove, however, Santos cannot be defined in terms of cold, prosaic statistics and figures. Their impact on world football is immeasurable, and it stems from the wonder team headed by Pele in the 1960s which has a legitimate claim to be called the best to ever step foot on a football pitch.'O Rei', of course, is the most recognisable figure from that side which dominated a decade - but there were so many others. Fellow strikers Pepe and Coutinho joined Pele in an attack which earned the Brazilians their iconic 'Santasticos' nickname as they laid waste to the best at home, in South America and in the world, so much so that many statisticians draw a line under the era. Neymar, Robinho and Ganso's efforts can only be compared to other stars A.P: After Pele, as measuring their efforts against those stars of the past is no more than an exercise in futility.