King of Fiotball, Pele
By Our Reporter
Soccer legend Pele is Dead. He died today at the age of 82.
‘O Rei’ was born in Tres Coracoes, Brazil, on October 23, 1940.The three-time World Cup winner had been struggling with health issues for some time and was taken to hospital in early December.
“He is quite fragile in relation to his mobility,” his son Edinho told Globoesporte in early February.
“He had a hip transplant and did not have a proper, ideal rehabilitation. So, he has this mobility problem, which ends up leading to a certain depression.”
Pele will always be remembered for the great moments over his career, his goals and of course, titles.
On November 19, 1969, he scored his 1,000th goal for Santos against Vasco da Gama.
Pele made his debut with Santos at the age of 15 on September 7, 1956, against Cubatao, a match in which he scored a goal.
Less than a year later, the teenager played his first match with the Brazilian national team.
It was on July 7, 1957, against Argentina at Maracana, and he scored once again. However, his go enough for the Selec player in the world,”
He was one of the best players in the world, or perhaps the best, when he played in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
He is considered by many as the best player in history, ahead of players like Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi.
‘O Rei’, as he is also known, practically played his entire career with Santos in Brazil.
He departed in 1974 and headed to the United States to play for the New York Cosmos, where he stayed until his retirement at the age of 36 in 1977.
Undoubtedly, he had a long and successful career with Santos and New York Cosmos as well as with the Brazilian National Team.
Pele won three World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970).
10x Campeonato Paulista winner with Santos (1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1973).
Six time Brasileiro Serie A champion with Santos (1961, 1962, 1964, 1964, 1964, 1965 and 1968).
Four time Torneio Rio-Sao winner with Santos (1959, 1963, 1964 and 1966).
Two time Copa Libertadores winner with Santos (1962 and 1963).
Two time Intercontinental Cup winner with Santos (1962 and 1963).
One time Intercontinental Super Cup winner (1968).
One time NASL Soccer Bowl winner with the New York Cosmos (1977).
It must be said that at the time Pele played, the Ballon d’Or was not awarded, though FIFA honored the Carioca in 2014 by presenting him with an honorary Ballon d’Or, the highest individual distinction in the world of football.
He was also given that award because he is the only player to have won three World Cups. But to achieve this, he has had to stand out individually, as the following awards show:
Campeonato Paulista top scorer with Santos (1957, 1958, 199,1960, 1961,1962,1963, 1964,1965, 1969, 1973).
FIFA World Cup Best Young Player with Brazil in 1958.
FIFA World Cup All-Star team (1958 and 1970).
Best player and top scorer of the Copa America 1959.
Top scorer of the Intercontinental Cup in 1962 and 1963.
Top scorer of the Copa Libertadores in 1965.
South American Footballer of the Year in 1973.
NASL Most Valuable Player in 1976.
Member of the NASL All-Star team in 1975, 1976 and 1977.
Since 1994 he has been a member of the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
In 1997 he received the MARCA Leyenda.
Member of the World Team of the 20th Century.
Best player of the 20th century according to the IFFHS.
Best South American player of the 20th century according to IFFHS.
FIFA Player of the 20th Century.
