Great Loss to Football

A tribute to Pele

The Brazilian Legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele AKA O Rei (The King), breathed his last breath at 82, on the 29 December 2022 to cancer. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021. The doctors informed about the advancement of his cancer, thus, his family gathered at the hospital on the 24th December. The entire nation was devasted at the loss of the football icon.

Paris Saint Germain players paid tribute to King Pele this Wednesday, at the Ligue 1 match against Angers. Lionel Messi and Neymar, and all the PSG players were spotted wearing shirts with the legend’s face on it.

Pele’s skills and achievements have indisputably left a great mark on history. Fans believe that the legacy will live on for generations inspiring them. The loss is indeed irreplaceable.

He started his career at the young age of 15 with the Brazilian Club Santos FC. His noticeable skills like his accuracy, timing, speed, dribbling and agility quickly impressed the football world.

Pele is the only player of all times to win THREE world cups.
He won his first world cup at the age of 17, making him the youngest player to win the World Cup till date, an unbroken Guinness World Record. the youngest to score a hat-trick in the World Cup.

Pele also became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup tournament. He later went on to win his second cup FIFA World Cup in 1960, and the third in 1970 where he scored 6 assists apart from his 4 goals.

Reports have confirmed that Pele has scored 1,283 goals in 1,363 games during his entire career.

FIFA confirms Pele as the only player to achieve 25 international goals during his teenage in just 20 appearances.

Throughout his three World Cups, he has scored 10 assists – a record that hasn’t been beaten till today.

In July 2022, FIFA tweeted claiming that Pele is the most famous person on this planet and highlighted his achievements. The tweet mentioned that Pele had scored 127 goals in 1959, and a total 110 goals in 1961.

A few honorable mentions of Pele’s achievements:

1959 Copa America – Finalist and Top Score

Athlete of the Century 1999 for both IOC and FIFA.

FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014

Many people believe that Neymar Jr., might be the next Pele after his performance in 2022 FIFA World Cup where he tied with Pele’s record of scoring 77 goals for Brazil.