He wasn’t just a giant in the world of soccer. He was, as the AP puts it, “one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century.” Pele, the Brazilian legend, died Thursday at age 82. He had been hospitalized in Sao Paolo, Brazil, for the last month with COVID complications, after having undergone surgery for colon cancer last year. The Washington Post notes that Pele had been nicknamed the “king of soccer,” but suggests his other nickname of Perola Negra, or Black Pearl, “best evoked the rare brilliance he packed into his diminutive frame.”
In 1958, at age 17, Pele became the youngest scorer ever in the World Cup, notes NBC, and the record stands to this day. He would go on to play more than 1,300 games and logged nearly 1,300 goals, all told. CNN calls him soccer’s “first global icon” and notes he is the only player to have won three World Cups. Whether he is the greatest of all time is a matter of debate, but the AP lists only Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo as other possibilities. (Read more obituary stories.)
RIP
Is he REALLY dead, or is he trying to get an opposing player a red card and tossed from the game of life?
He was a truly amazing athlete. His highlight reel will amaze…..then there’s the other 90+ minutes of the game he played…..
I remember seeing films of his “bicycle kick” – him flipping upside down and kicking the ball. Everyone tried to do in during PE and often ended up hurting themselves.
STILL the only soccer player I give a damn for.
RIP, Pele.
For someone somewhere the nightmare is finally over.
Loss of excellence in this day and age is everyone’s loss.
RIP, Pele.
So, instead of kicking the ball he kicked the can.
No disrespect intended, I can see the can from here.
Watch the last World Cup goal Pele was involved in. Its hilarious because he made it happen based solely on his reputation. The opposing side is totally mesmerized by him and gives a teammate named Carlos Alberto a 30 yard running start and a clear lane for a shot
So all Pele does is make a totally routine pass to Alberto and .. BOOM! hardest hit goal you’ll ever see
I cant link with this cell phone so Google “Carlos Alberto 1970 World Cup Goal” You’ll get a chuckle
@ Callmelennie …..Yep, watch this years World Cup and watch Messi….Fantastic athleticism and then comes the 90+ minutes of the rest of the game….
LBS,
that was funny.
I took a screenshot of that comment.
Cheers!
Sure, RIP and all accolades to him…but he never made me a soccer fan.
In fact, all pro sports can go to hell as far as I’m concerned. They no longer deserve my respect or attention.
They should have blocked his clotshot. Too soon?
He was all class, believed in God, in addition to being an amazing athlete. Came from a crushed poor family, never forgot his roots, always helped.
Some of us grew up watching him destroy teams and win games single handedly.
If you can find the “Escape To Victory” movie, he is in it. Nice move to watch along with some other stars.
Stick him with a pin to see if he’s just flopping to get the other guy red carded.