“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that”__ Bill Shankly.
The Brazilian football legend Pele died on Thursday at 82. He had been suffering from colon cancer since 2021. How did Pele die? He was hospitalized the last month and was fighting to survive but eventually succumbed to death due to multiple organ failures. His funeral has been planned for Monday and Tuesday when his casket is to be carried through the streets of Santos.
Insights into the Life and Career of Pele
“Jogo Bonito” or Beautiful Game, football, without a shadow of a doubt, is the most popular sport on the planet. And the undisputed king of this sport is none other than Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as ‘Pele’. This was Pele’s real name. There have been so many legends in football, namely Maradona, Di Stefano, and Garrincha, to modern greats Messi and Ronaldo. But ‘Pele Footballer’ was the first international icon, the flag-bearer of this beautiful game.
The Humble Beginning
Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele was born on 23rd October, 1940. He was named after the famous scientist Thomas Edison. He grew up in poverty in Sao Paolo. From an early age, he took an interest in football. Not being able to afford a football, he used to play with socks stuffed with newspaper. He also worked in tea shops to earn some extra bucks. Gradually, he was able to play for various amateur teams during his youthful days.
Pele as a little boy promised his father that one day he would win the World Cup for his nation when his father was crying at Brazil’s loss in the 1950 World Cup final against Uruguay. And later he kept his promise by winning the prestigious World Cup not once, not twice but THRICE.
In 1956, Pele started playing for Santos at 15, his first professional football club. He already had the potential to be ‘the greatest footballer in the world’. As soon as he started playing for his club, he became famous and was projected as a future superstar.
At age 16, he was called up for Brazil National Team. Pele’s popularity had already reached Europe by then, and famous European clubs like Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid tried to sign him. As a result, Brazilian government later declared Pele an ‘Official National Treasure’ to prevent foreign clubs from signing him.
Then came the 1958 Football World Cup which Brazil eventually won. Pele became the youngest player to play a World Cup final at the age of 17 years. He was instrumental in Brazil’s win against Sweden, a 5-2 win where he scored 2 goals. Then Pele played in the 1962 World Cup and won it for Brazil. He started the match with a goal and assist but then got injured. He spent the rest of the tournament injured. Brazil again won the 1970 World Cup with Pele playing a significant role for his team. Thus Pele became the only player to win the 3 Football World Cup.
The Style of Play
Pele was deemed an all-rounder player. He was equally a scorer and an assist provider. Despite being a right-footed player, he controlled the ball like an ambidextrous footballer. Not to mention his powerful vision and smart footballing thinking. All these qualities gave him an edge over his contemporary footballers. On top of that, he used to have a telepathic connection with his teammates, making the Brazil team of that era invincible. He could play as a striker, forward or even a playmaker, thus ensuring his fullest utilization as a footballer for his team. Pele had the superior technical ability, creativity, speed and power that made him the absolute football kind of the world.
The Perennial Legacy
Pele had some unique flair and charisma around him. His sportsmanship and leadership made him a popular figure around the world. With his legacy and influence, he garnered love, praise and respect from every nook and corner of the globe.
Goals and achievements
With his unique goals and assists, Pele took Brazil to a new heights in world football. In doing so, he became the global ambassador of football. Pele all time stats is staggering. How many goals did Pele score in his career? During his football career, he scored 1,281 goals, of which 650 were league goals. So there are lot of Pele goals. Not to mention, his uncountable assists.
In 1974, he retired from Santos, but one year later, he was coaxed out of retirement to join New York Cosmos, his second-ever team. At 34, he signed a $7 million deal to play for 3 years. It made him the highest-paid player in the world. He played there for 2 years and helped them win North American Soccer League. Before his arrival, football (soccer in the USA) as a sport in America was almost nonexistent. But Pele made this sport popular in the USA as well as other countries around the world.
He played his last match as an exhibition game which was held between Santos and Cosmos. He played one half for Cosmos and the other half for Santos. He was a symbolic figure in the world football.
Accolades
Pele is largely considered the GOAT or the Greatest Player of All Time. Another legend of the game, Argentine footballer Diego Maradona was his closest competitor in this respect. The recent FIFA World Cup 2022 win by Argentina put Leo Messi in the same bracket of GOAT discussion. But there is no ambiguity about the fact that Pele took world football to the limelight, he was the first to do it, and every other legend of the game came later and followed in his footstep.
FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) declared both Pele and Maradona as the joint players of the 20th Century. Apart from this formal recognition, most football fraternities have always considered Pele the ultimate King of Football, the GOAT.
Pele also won the prestigious Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. While presenting this award, the then South African President, Nelson Mandela said, “To watch him play was to watch the delight of a child combined with the extraordinary grace of a man in full”.
Life outside football
Being a charismatic figure, Pele glittered his brilliance in other walks of life outside football. He was appointed as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Regarding politics, he never backed off from expressing his conservative views on different matters and affairs. He was featured in various documentaries, published a few autobiographies and even composed some musical pieces. He also served as the Extraordinary Minister of Sport in Brazil from 1995 to 1998. All these things made Pele on the news most of the time.
Despite all the name, fame and money, Pele also had turmoil in his personal life. His son Edinho was arrested for a drug-related case. He had 5 children out of his first 2 marriages and married 3 times. So he had his sets of problems and tackled them like a football.
Conclusion
Pele was a gem of a football player, more so a charismatic character that brought world football into the spotlight. His mere appearance and presence stopped the Civil War in Nigeria when he went to play a friendly match for Brazil. It is a testament to Pele’s ultimate influence and how he impacted fans, enthusiasts and general populace around the world. This is where he was unique and distinct compared to all the other footballing superstars, past or present.
Football King Pele may have left us, but his legacy will always inspire young and next-generation footballers to love football. He will be remembered for an eon and beyond.
