Brazil legend and arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento also known as Pele has died of cancer at the age of 82.
Born on 23rd October, 1940 in Tres Coracoes in South-eastern Brazil. He was named after the inventor Thomas Alva Edison because as Pele later stated, electricity arrived at his home just before he did.
He was not born with a silver spoon. At a very young age he had to contribute to family’s income by getting part-time jobs in local cafes. His family could not afford a ball, so Pele kicked around rolled-up sock as his father taught him how to play the beautiful game.
His footballing career came into limelight when he was only 16 years in 1957. He was selected for the Santos senior team and scored the first of his many career goals in his opening match.
Just after 10 months of turning a professional player, Pele was called up by the Brazil national team. But his international debut was a 2-1 loss to Argentina, with the 16 year-old scoring Brazil’s only goal.
His first World Cup was in 1958 in Sweden and he was only 17. In the quarter-finals against Wales he became the youngest player to score a goal in the World Cup.
Pele scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against France and scored a brace in the final against Sweden. He was part of the Brazilian team that successfully defended their world title in 1962 in Chile and conquered the world again in 1970.
Pele’s skills on the ball held fans spell-bound, his dazzling dribbles, speed and his shooting accuracy made him lethal in front of goal.
Pele received numerous honours and wrote his name in the annals of football history. No history of the round leather game will be complete without the mention of Pele.
