Opinion: As the football world mourns and unites to pay him homage, it is clear he stands alone in the Pantheon of greatness
As a soon-to-be 18-year-old and just months from starting my newspaper cadetship, I sat enthralled in the grandstand with my late father as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, otherwise known as Pele, weaved his magic against Australia in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 31,000 at the old Sydney Sports Ground in June 1972.
That was the God-like effect of the Brazilian – a player of extraordinary vision and skill, who, despite his relatively short stature , also possessed speed, power and, most importantly, an innate ability in front of goal.Whether playing for Brazil, Santos or the New York Cosmos, Pele had it all when it came to scoring goals – from rocket-like headers, to deft touches from close range, to acrobatic overhead kicks, to thunderous efforts from long-range and bending free-kicks.
Balletic: Brazil’s soccer star Pele kicks the ball over his head during a game in 1968, location unknown.The occasion was one of the few times I allowed the fanboy inside of me to take over from my journalistic instincts as I had brought along a photo of Pele in action. With some trepidation I asked him if he remembered the game and if he would autograph it . Needless to say it holds pride of place in my football collection.
It did not take long for him to have an impact. After impressing in trials, Pele signed as a professional with the club in June 1956 and three months later made his senior debut at just 15, scoring in a 7-1 win. A legend was born. It would have been a “no contest” as to who would be regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. As it is, even allowing for the achievements of Lionel Messi, there will always be contentious debates and comparisons involving Pele, Maradona and Messi.
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