Brazilian Legend Footballer Pelé died at the age of 82

The Brazilian king of Soccer Sets A Record By Winning Three World Cups

The Greatest of all Time and iconic Brazilian footballer Pelé died at the age of 82 in Sao Paulo in Brazil on Thursday after a long battle with Cancer. The legendary soccer player had been struggling with colon cancer and hospitalised with manifold ailments. He was receiving chemotherapy for that reason. There are six known surviving children of Pelé. A seventh, whose identity he had long since forgotten, passed away from cancer in 2006. Pelé, the Brazilian king of Soccer who set a record by winning three World Cups was bestowed with tributes by across the entire football eternity and his fans.

Pelé Early Life and Career

On October 23, 1940, in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé, was born. His father, a semi-pro player whose promising career was interrupted by a knee injury, taught him the game.Numerous aspects related to his youth are obscured by esoteric myth including the origin of his famous name Pele. He quickly dazzled scouts by playing attacking forward instead of goalie - a prototype for number 10. He began playing for Santos Futbol Clube at age 15. His ability was quickly noticed by the national team at age 16, and he was selected for the Brazilian team travelling to Sweden for the 1958 World Cup. He recorded himself as the youngest player to lift the world cup trophy. After winning his first FIFA World Cup in 1958 with Brazil's national side, Pelé was given the moniker O Rei, which translates to "The King" in Portuguese. He touched stardom after Pele scored three goals in the semifinal against France and two more in the championship game against Sweden to help the Selecao win the first of their record-breaking five world championships. He was a member of the team that successfully defended the title in 1962 before winning a third World Cup in 1970, when Brazil famously defeated Italy in the championship game in what was the first football World Cup to be aired in colour. In his World Cup career, which included a total of four competitions, he scored 12 goals.

Pelé’s Awards and Achievements

Before retiring in 1977, Pelé amassed more than 1,000 goals during one of the most legendary careers in sports, earning the moniker O Rei (The King). Pele scored an average of 0.94 goals per game, or 1,281 goals in 1,366 games, according to data gathered by the FIFA website. Up until Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal surpassed it, he scored 757 goals in 812 games, including some friendlies and tournaments he competed in as part of his military responsibilities. He received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II of England in 1997. He participated just as actively in battles. During his illustrious 18-year stay with the club, he won every football prize in Brazil in addition to two Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League — and two Intercontinental Cups, an annual competition involving the top clubs in Europe and South America. He was also awarded with FIFA Player of the Century in 2000 and Honorary Ballon d’Or winner in 2014. 

Pelé, The First Modern Football Player

Pelé, the first modern football player, was an exceptional artist who was able to eliminate all of the strategies and patterns that complicate the straightforward game through instinct, intelligence, and creativity. He was regarded as a "national treasure" in Brazil, where he epitomised the magnificent kind of play known as "samba football" and was renowned for his prowess with the ball. His ever-present number 10 will be recognised for revolutionising the sport rather than only for his accomplishments. He was the first international football star and was instrumental in turning the sport into a major force in both sport and commerce. A true great of the game who will live on in legend and symbol form will always be remembered.