On 30th December 2022, the world mourned the loss of the greatest footballer ever produced on the face of the earth. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, otherwise known as Pelé, died aged 82, due to cancer. Edison left us, but Pelé will always live. He is prone to dying.
Early life:
Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Pelé was a football enthusiast from a very young age and started playing for a club “Santos” at the age of just 15. After playing for the clubs at such a young age, Pelé was getting ready to announce himself on the International scene.
Career Stats:
The Brazilian legend is reported to have scored a total of 1281 goals in 1363 games he played. During his tenure as an international footballer for Brazil, this South American team won 3 FIFA WorldCup titles. This is how Brazil emerged as a reckoning force in the football world and shut all those who considered it a European sport.
A Player Loved by the Fans:
A good football player, when retires, is forever remembered by his statistics but Pelé is remembered for the way he played the game. When he was on the pitch, the whole world would just focus on that one player. A player who is going to make a difference. The respect you gain in the hearts of millions of fans is worth living for.
As we know, Pelé belonged to a poor family, but he never gave up on his dreams. A small boy from a small state in Brazil, was going to lift a whole nation from the dust of the evolving world to the heights of the sky as far as you can see. Very few people are able to make that kind of an impact, but being a sportsman and still being a ray of hope to your country and your people is just mesmerising.
During his brilliant journey as a footballer, Pelé enchanted his viewers with the genius of his sports. Not only this, he stopped a war and did social work. One gem of a person and forever great.
The Reactions to his death
The whole football world is in deep sorrow over the demise of the greatest of the greats, one and only Pelé.
FIFA’S PRESIDENT-Gianni Infantino:
“His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.To his family and friends, to CBF (Brazilian football federation), to Brazil and to all football fans who loved him so much, I express my sincere condolences.
“Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pele, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity.”
US PRESIDENT-Joe Biden:
“For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pele’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible. Today, (first lady) Jill and I’s thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.”
UEFA PRESIDENT-Aleksander Ceferin:
“He was the first global superstar of the game and, thanks to achievements on and off the field, he played a pioneering role in football’s rise to become the world’s most popular sport. He will be greatly missed.”
ACTOR SYLVESTER STALLONE:
“Pele! The Great! Rest in peace! This was a good man.”
ARGENTINA CAPTAIN LIONEL MESSI
“Rest in peace, Pele.”
FORMER ENGLAND PLAYER SIR GEOFF HURST
“I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside). For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.”
End Note
Indeed a true hero in a real sense and one of the greats of the great. Pelé will always remain in our hearts.
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