Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, recently passed away on December 29th, 2022 in his peaceful hospital bed in São Paulo, Brazil.
Pele was renowned worldwide for his incredible talent in football and historic achievements throughout his footballing career. Pele began playing professional football at the young age of 16 years old. After Brazil lost in the 1954 World Cup to footballing giant Hungary, a young Pele vowed to his father that he would help their country bring home a trophy. A young yet talented Pele did as he promised four years later, and brought home the prestigious World Cup trophy. At just 16, Pele remains the youngest to ever secure a World Cup win. Pele went on to win two more World Cup trophies in his career, finish with a mind-boggling three World Cup trophies, and become the only player in history to lift the trophy three times in one’s career.
Pele scored 1,284 goals in 1,375 matches, was named “Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, and was also included in Time’s list of the “100 Most Important People of the 20th Century.” In 2000, Pele was voted “World Player of the Century” by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics,” and was one of two joint winners of the “FIFA Player of the Century.” After receiving these individual awards for his illustrious career, Pele was later nicknamed “O Rei,” or The King, of football.
Pele showed the whole world how much love the sport brings not only to his people but to the entire world. One event that shows Pele’s importance is that a civil war was put on hold just to watch him play. Pele will remain the greatest player of all time because of his outrageous talent and journey. The world was devastated by Pele’s passing, but his legacy will live on forever.
Watch this video to see highlights of Pele’s legendary football career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYNsrKtV6Mc
