GUWAHATI: Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, he was popularly known as Pele by football enthusiasts all over the globe. The Brazalian's expertise in this sport was beyond anyone else at his time managing to score a total of 757 goals during his 20-year span in professional football. He breathed his last on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82 following a prolonged illness.
Pele's skills with the ball inspired millions of people worldwide to play football, so much so that many consider him the greatest player of all time and was labelled "the greatest" by FIFA. The only two players who have surpassed him in terms of goals are Christiano Ronaldo who plays under the Portuguese flag and Lionel Messi who plays for Argentina. And both of them drew inspiration from the great Pele.
In the year 1999, the International Olympic Committee named him the Athlete of the Century. The Time magazine included him in their list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) members elected him as the World Player of the Century in the year 2000. He was jointly awarded the FIFA Payer of the Century with Diego Maradona
Pele started to play for Santos FC at the age of 15 and became a part of the Brazilian Football Team at the age of 16. Nicknamed 'O Rei' meaning 'The King' he was part of 3 FIFA World Cup winning teams in the 1958, 1962 and 1970 editions of the tournament.
As per records, Pele scores a total of 757 goals in recorded matches. Out of them, 77 are from international goals in 92 matches and the rest 680 goals from club-level matches. But overall he managed to score a total of 1279 goals from 1363 matches which include friendly matches and this is a record as per the Guinness World Record.
His death on December 29, 2022, left football fans irrespective of their age or nationality in tears. Several players and imminent personalities offered their condolences on his passing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said,"His legacy is impossible to summarise in words. To his family and friends, to CBF (Brazilian football federation), to Brazil and to all football fans who loved him so much, I express my sincere condolences. Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pele, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity."
U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned "For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pele's rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible. Today, (first lady) Jill and I's thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him."
Former U.S. President Barak Obama added "Pele was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him."
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said ""He was the first global superstar of the game and, thanks to achievements on and off the field, he played a pioneering role in football's rise to become the world's most popular sport. He will be greatly missed."
Portuguese Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo said "My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular, to the family of Mr Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere "goodbye" to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that embraces the whole world of football at this moment. An inspiration for so many millions, a reference of yesterday, of today, of always."
Argentinian Footballer Lionel Messi "Rest in Peace, Pele."
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