Brazilians revered Pelé, the greatest football player of his generation, as O Rei, the king, and no one man came to define a country as much as he did during his lifetime of footballing brilliance.
abc.net.au/news/pele-o-rei-the-king-brazil-obituary/101743264Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but known around the world as Pelé, the greatest player of his generation has died after a battle with colon cancer and a respiratory infection in São Paulo. He was 82.
"The greatest player in history was [Alfredo] Di Stéfano," said Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás of his former Real Madrid teammate, with one caveat.Former Brazil star Dunga told FIFA that Pelé was "a myth … a myth you can't discuss. Pelé did things that are not human.
When shown on colour at the 1970 World Cup, Pelé was elevated onto a different plain, the vibrancy of Brazil's iconic yellow shirts cutting swathes through their opponents in glorious technicolour.Before Pelé was included in Brazil's 1958 World Cup squad as a 17-year-old, his coach at Santos, Lula, told reporters he could "no longer be compared to anyone else because he possesses all the qualities of the ideal football player".
Their poetic brilliance with the ball and the number 10 on their shirts was their only common ground.Pelé, one of the greatest football players the world has ever seen, dead aged 82. He was taken to trial with São Paulo giants Santos as a 16-year-old, starting a playing relationship that would last over 1,200 games over 17 years, almost his entire professional career.Pelé's arrival at Santos coincided with the general rise of the club which, off the back of 58 goals from Pelé, won the Campeonato Paulista — the São Paulo state league — for the first time in 20 years.
It's not that there was no interest from Europe: Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United and Inter Milan were all suitors. Pelé was just 17 at his first World Cup, the 1958 tournament in Sweden, scoring six goals in total for the Seleção, including two in the final. "After [Pelé's] goal, even I wanted to cheer for him." bullish Sweden defender Sigge Parling told FIFA, remembering that extraordinary second goal.
"I told myself before the game, 'He's made of skin and bones just like everyone else'," Italy defender Tarcisio Burgnich said after that final.Pelé is synonymous with the World Cup as a three-time winner. While most press around the world on November 20, 1969 had coverage of the Apollo 12 Moon landing, in Brazil that news was shared with the events that took place at the Maracanã the previous afternoon, as Pelé slotted home from the penalty spot against Vasco de Gama.
His stardom was such that he was even credited with revitalising the North American Soccer League when signing for the New York Cosmos in 1975.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pelé, Brazilian World Cup winner and football great, dies aged 82The Brazilian legend died in the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo after entering the facility in November for cancer treatment.
Read more »
Cups and downs: The good, the bad and the ugly side of sport in 2022Sydney Morning Herald and Age reporters break down the biggest talking points of the year in an article that will be updated with a new sport every day.
Read more »
More girls playing football is hard-won progress – but there is still a long way to go | Baroness CampbellWe must give children a voice and a choice about sport; it’s the key to helping more children enjoy sport and physical activity
Read more »
‘I like films that take you into the woods – then leave you there’ – the beguiling folk-horror of Mark JenkinThe Bafta-winning writer, director and composer – who can count Quentin Tarantino and Warren Ellis among his fans – discusses exploring the dark side of Cornwall in his latest film, Enys Men
Read more »
World Cup, Tour de France must be free insists SBSAfter Aussies watched 44 million hours of the World Cup in Qatar, SBS says it should be put back on the government’s free-to-air priority sport list.
Read more »