Pele – an icon of sports Edson Arantes Do Nascimento (Pele) October 23, 1940 – December 29, 2022
PELE was known to the world as one of the greats in his field of soccer and during his heyday in the 1960s and 1970s only Muhammad Ali - the great heavyweight boxer - would have equaled him in popularity.
Pele is unquestionably one of the greatest soccer players, if not the greatest, to play the game and he gave his all on the pitch during a long and illustrious career spanning three decades. What more can be said about this shining star and beacon of hope for all aspiring athletes in whatever field of sport they want to pursue.
Born Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, on October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil – Pele as he was known to the world – grew up in poverty, working in tea shops as a servant to help support his family during their days of hardship.
Pele’s father introduced him to soccer, but as the family couldn’t afford a soccer ball, they improvised using either a sock stuffed with newspaper or a grapefruit to hone his skills. This was the beginning of his love affair with football as he practiced day and night to improve on his overall skills and learn about the sport and all its rules and regulations.
Pele started by playing indoor football or FUTSAL as it is known as today because this was a much faster form of soccer, and he was able to think quickly and make adjustments in split seconds to create or score a goal. Pele credits his early years as a FUTSAL player to making him successful on the grass field to play football as the game was much slower and he could read what was happening on the pitch and make adjustments to make openings for himself.
Such was his prolific rise that at the tender age of 15 he was signed up to top South American side Santos and made a huge impact.
Having the confidence of youth and risk taking, he quickly developed into a future superstar for the club and also his country. At the age of 16 he became the top scorer in the Brazilian league and shortly after this was picked to represent the Brazilian national team.
In his first FIFA World Cup appearance in 1958 in Sweden, Pele was just 17 years old and at that time was the youngest player ever to grace the field of the World Cup. He also scored some sensational goals during the competition including a hattrick against France in the semi-final making him the youngest player in world cup history to do so.
On June 29, 1958, Pele, beat the odds and became the youngest player at 17 years of age to play and win the world cup. In addition to this he scored two goals to get his beloved Brazil the win against finalists Sweden 5-2. He was now a superstar of the game and not even out of his teenage years.
Four years later in 1962 the world cup was to be contested in Chile. Pele now at the age of 21 was experienced and the best player in the world. He once again helped Brazil retain the trophy and cemented his place as the best player globally.
The 1966 world cup was held in England and Pele and his team were going for a hattrick, but unfortunately this was not to be. The Brazilian team and all their supporters were bitterly disappointed not to have won the tournament again and now they had to wait a further four years to get redemption.
The 1970 world cup has been described as the best and Brazil’s 1970 team has been described as the greatest team ever to be assembled. Whether or not that is true is for the critics to discuss, but what is not disputed is the classy and free flowing football that was on display by this immensely talented team.
The world cup was held in Mexico and the anticipation of this event was at fever pitch as great things were expected of this Brazilian side. They did not disappoint, as they swept aside all contenders and put on a master display in the final against Italy to win the coveted trophy. Interestingly, in terms of goals and assists during the world cup in 1970, Pele was directly responsible for 53 per cent of all Brazil’s goals throughout the tournament.
Three world cup medals, title of the greatest footballer in history, Pele’s contribution to the sport of football has been immense. Yes, there will be discussions about who was the best and the names of Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo will always be in the mix, but from a purely statistical point of view Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, also known as Pele, was head and shoulders above all his competition.
Rest in peace Pele as another prolific sporting legend has departed this world. Thank you for the memories and the immense joy you have brought to so many people across such a wide spectrum of society. You were a true hero to the masses.
■ AJAY BHAI AMRIT