December 29,(THEWILL) – Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more commonly known as Pele, died on Thursday, December 29, after his frail body conceded to the impact of colon cancer conjoined with renal and cardiac dysfunctions. Yet, as football players from Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe to Gareth Bale, Erling Haaland to Samuel Eto’o Fils and other personalities from Barack Obama to Gordon Brown, from the Guinness Book of World Records to the American National Space Agency (NASA), paid their tributes to the legend of Pele, one fact remained obvious: his name will be etched in the annals of football history forever.
Born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, Pele began his professional career at the age of 16 with Santos FC and quickly became one of the most promising young players in the world, helping the team from 1956 to 1974 to a string of titles including the Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963), the Intercontinental Cup (1962, 1963), and six Campeonato Paulista titles (1958, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1968).
Pele’s career achievements are truly staggering. He won three FIFA World Cups with the Brazilian national team (1958, 1962, and 1970), a feat that has never been matched by any other player in the history of the sport. He also won numerous individual accolades including a Guinness World Record for scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games across his career, was inducted into the United States National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1993, for the time he played three seasons with the Cosmos, won an NASL championship in 1977 and was named as a first-team NASL all-star in all three seasons he was in America, sparking a new love for the game in North America. He was also given a special Ballon d’Or at the award ceremony in 2014, the first ever Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur. Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 and Football’s highest authority also designated the player nicknamed “O Rei” – the King – as FIFA Player of the Century, an honour he shared with Argentina’s Diego Maradona.
Pele’s impact on the game of soccer was immeasurable. His technical ability, vision, and flair for the dramatic made him a joy to watch, and he inspired countless young players around the world to pick up a ball and start playing. He was a prolific goalscorer, as the World Record he holds testifies to, and was known for his creative playmaking and tireless work ethic on the pitch.
Off the field, Pele was also just popular for his graciousness and humility. Despite his incredible success and fame, he remained a down-to-earth and approachable individual and used his platform to promote the sport he loved and to make a positive impact on the world.
This demonstrates that Pele’s legacy extended far beyond the football pitch. He is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time and his contributions to the sport coupled with his larger-than-life persona has been recognised by numerous organisations and institutions around the world. He has received a plethora of honours including the American Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
In tribute to Pele, THEWILL remembers his incredible career and the joy he brought to millions of fans around the world. He will always be remembered as a true legend of the game and his contributions to football will be remembered for generations to come. Pele’s legacy will live on forever as a symbol of excellence, sportsmanship and dedication to the beautiful game.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
