How Pele earned $120,000 just from tying his boot laces during Brazil's game with Peru in 1970 FIFA World Cup

In 1970, Puma paid Pele $120,000 to tie his laces before Brazil's match against Peru.

They manufactured the event because they wanted the iconic Brazilian figure to promote their footwear.

Pele rose to fame as a result of the incredible exploits he performed on the football field, and he did so before the game ever got underway.

After his passing on Thursday at the age of 82, video of a remarkable incident that occurred before Brazil's 1970 World Cup quarterfinal match against Peru has surfaced. Pele, who had been paid $120,000 by boot makers Puma to do so, purposefully bent down to tie his shoelaces.

According to American businessman Joe Pompliano, the historic occasion was years in the making and resulted from a family dispute between brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler.

The brothers first entered the shoe industry together in the 1920s, but as their partnership fell apart, they chose to go their own ways in the 1940s, with Adolf founding Adidas and Rudolf founding Puma.

The two guys then engaged in a competition to get to the top, but reaching Pele was never going to be easy given his increasing popularity.

Both brands agreed that Pele was too expensive to sign on with as his fame grew following his first World Cup victory in 1958. As a result, the "Pele Pact" was created, which stated that neither company would pursue Pele.

But everything changed in 1970. Puma came up to Pele at this juncture and offered him $120,000 to wear their boots in exchange for him asking the referee for some time to bend down and tie his laces before the game began.

They even bribed the videographer to focus in on the Brazilian striker as he performed the act to ensure they got the ideal photo of Pele promoting their footwear.

Puma's cunning approach apparently incensed Adolf Dassler and Adidas, but Puma is unlikely to have minded given that they went on to post record yearly sales.

Brazil easily defeated Peru 4-2 to get to the semi-finals, and Pele appeared unfazed by the entire situation.

Then, after defeating Italy 4-1 in the championship game, they defeated Uruguay 3-1, with Pele scoring the first goal as the great striker won his third World Cup, cementing his place in history.