After battling cancer and hip issues for an extensive period of time, Brazil’s legend Pelé has sadly died due to multiple organ failure caused by colon cancer last night. The Três Corações-born football megastar was 82 years old, and his passing made millions of people mourning and calling it a huge loss to the football world.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
One-of-a-Kind
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or better known as Pelé, was born in 23rd October 1940 in the southeastern city of Tres Coracoes, Edson Arantes do Nascimento. His famous nickname came when he mispronounced the name Bile, a goalkeeper who used to play in the place where his footballer father once joined. But little did everyone know this mispronunciation would later turned into a household name, with his elevation of o jogo bonito (The Beautiful Game) and Samba Style.
Youngest Player Ever to Play in a FIFA World Cup Final
Prior to the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Pelé set a record of being the youngest player to score for Brazil at 16 years and nine months; No one was able to surpass such a feat since then. Besides, at 17 years and 249 days, he became the youngest player to play in a World Cup Final, scoring a a brace against Sweden in the Seleção’s journey of winning its first ever world title in the history of football. The then naive no. 10 was even awarded the Silver Ball honour (Second-best player of the tournament) over his young but exceptional display of football skills throughout the tournament.
Only Player to Win Three World Cups
After fulfilling his promise to deliver his country a World Cup crown to his father, O Rei (The King) went on to accomplish unparalleled accolades, such as winning the World Cup a record three times and allowed Brazil to be only the second country which has defended its title when they successfully did so six decades ago (1962). Nonetheless, a disappointing group stage exit in 1966 that saw England winning its only World Cup title to date fueled Brazil’s and Pelé’s intention of returning to the peak of world football once again, and they did it with some style: Winning all six matches in the 1970 FIFA World Cup and scoring a total of 19 goals during the triumph.
With a hat-trick of wins in the celebrated sporting event, the regulations of FIFA allowed the Seleção to bring home the Jules Rimet Trophy, and a new trophy, as seen in the present, was introduced in the following edition. Due to changes of FIFA’s regulations, no countries have been able to bring home the latest edition of the official trophy despite winning the world title three times after it was introduced in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, including Germany and Argentina.
The Football World Mourn for the Loss
Pelé’s daughter on Instagram: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace. 💔” pic.twitter.com/uevgedQunn
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 29, 2022
It has been a tough few years for the football world as another legend Diego Maradona was passed two years ago. On the other hand, sports fans, particularly football ones, were blessed with icons like Pelé and Maradona. May his stories continue to inspire generation after generation. Rest in peace, legend.
(Photo Credits: DW)
