Pele, the world-famous Brazilian soccer legend has died at the age of 82.He was suffering from a respiratory infection and colon cancer. Since November, he was admitted in a hospital and died due to multiple organ failure on 29 December.
Died of Colon Cancer
Born to Play
Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, once said, “I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music and Michelangelo was born to paint”.
Born on October 23, 1940, he was named after inventor Thomas Edison. His father, Dondinho was a soccer player himself and taught his son how to play.
Named after Inventor Edison
At the age of 6, Pele was shining shoes and selling roasted peanuts outside movie theatres. He honed his dribbling technique and ball control with a sock stuffed with rags as his family could not afford a football.
Struggles he Faced
The only player to have won 3 world cups, first in 1958, and other two in 1962 and 1970. He was just 17 when he starred in the 1958 World Cup.
Created World Record
Pele was just 16 years old when he made his debut for Brazil’s national team. After a few months, he started playing professionally with Brazilian club Santos in 1956.
Debut Play
According to data, Pele holds the Guinness World Record for most career goals scored in football, at 1,279.
Set World Record
He served as a Goodwill UNICEF ambassador for many years, promoting peace and support for vulnerable children.
Served as UNICEF Ambassador
Pele had such significance that he temporarily stopped a civil war in Nigeria in 1967. It happened when a 48-hour ceasefire was declared to allow Federal and Rebel troops to watch him play.
A Great Personality
In 1995, Pele was appointed as Extraordinary Minister for Sport. During the three-year term, he brought the “Pele Law” which modernized the country’s sport industry.