Introduction
Football is now considered to have become more than just a backyard sport. It is a maker of heroes. It’s hard to point out who among the hundreds of players is the best or worthy to be called a “Legend of the game” considering the vast amount of athletes in the sport from across the world. A game played in almost every country, its federation (FIFA) has more members than the United Nations. Nevertheless, there is one football player in history who is considered to be more than just a legend or hero in the field. This page is a tribute to his greatness in the world of football.
History
Edson Arantes do Nascimento as known as PELE was born in October 1940. He grew up in poverty, working as a servant in restaurants and cafes. He is also called the “The Black Pearl” by many. He is a Brazilian born and today is considered to be the greatest footballer in history. The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) voted him as the greatest football player of the century. The French magazine France Football ranked him at first place for the same title and the international Olympic Committee awarded Pele as “Athlete of the Century.” In his 21 year long career, Pele played 1363 games with 1281 goals. Because of his outstanding performance in football and as an athlete, Brazil appointed Pele as the Minister of Sports in 1995. The player supported and played for the Brazil National team in 4 world cups and returned home with the trophy in 3 of them. In his first World Cup in 1958, Pele only 16 was also the youngest footballer to ever have played in the world cup. He then became the youngest scorer at the world cup in that same year while playing a match against Wales.
Features
Yes, this legend did it all. He is a true inspiration for all footballers and nothing less than a hero to his country. He played for Brazil in the next three world cups and injured himself during a long shot in the 1962 World Cup. It didn’t slow him down much. In his final World Cup in 1970, Pele alongside many other legends like Rivelino and Carlos Alverto took the team to finals against Italy and once again brought back home the world cup which they had lost in the previous World Cup. Some say Pele’s achievement in the world is the reason why Brazil got popular back in the 70s and 80s. Named after the great American inventor Thomas Edison, Pele was the son of Dondhino, also a Brazilian Football player. So it can be said that football was in his blood.
Tips and comments
Pele became more than just a player. Today he is a brand. There are companies such as the “Pele Sports” and “the Art of Pelé”. Pele also became an ambassador at UNESCO in 1995, the same year he became the Minister of Sports. As a great Football player and a humanitarian, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.
