All about Pele’s incredible all time performance
Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Portuguese pronunciation [peˈlɛ])
also known as Pelé (A Brazilian Portuguese, 23 October 1940 – 29 December 2022)
1,279 goals in 1,363 games (Guinness World Record)
He was a professional Brazilian footballer who played as a forward and the greatest football player world has ever witnessed. In 1999, he was named as Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was also recognized in the Time list among the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
Pele, also known as O Rei, “the King”, left the world forever on Thursday, aged 82, after a long battle with illness in Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital. He was associated with the phrase “o jogo bonito,” or “the beautiful game,” and he transformed the game like no one else did ever before.
Pele was the first modern footballer, he wasn’t just two steps ahead of the players on the football field but also he was physically far exceptional to any of his compatriots, that also explained when he dribbled the ball it seems it was attached to his feet by strings and also his kicks were way harder than any other player of his time. What made Pele and his skills even more thrilling was that he did it on unsteady pitches, in heavy boots, and with heavy balls. Sports science was not as advanced as it is today.
He was a man of strong mental and physical health. Pele’s body structure was even studied by medical experts in the early 1970s, including his parallel feet and the strong bones in his heels, which helped his speed and acted as shock absorbers after a jump or a kick.
Pele’s Incredible Records
- Just at the age of 16, he made his Brazil debut.
- Youngest player at the age of 17, who appeared in World cup.
- Pele was the only player till now to win THREE world cups. i.e. 1958, 1962, 1970
- He scored 1281 goals in 1363 appearances.
- Pele won six Brazilian titles, two Copa Libertadores titles and two Intercontinental Cups with Santos.
- He scored 643 official goals for Santos, the second most of all-time by a player with a single club (only behind Lionel Messi’s 672 for Barcelona).
- Pele also won the 1977 NASL title with the New York Cosmos there he scored 64 goals in three seasons.
- Pele scored 77 goals for Brazil, in just 92 appearances.
- Pele has one of the best winning percentage concluding all his appearances, i.e. 86%
Pelé has been widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time. He set numerous records during his outstanding 21-year Football career from 1956 to 1977. Many of these records have yet to be broken. In addition, he was also named an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1997 and FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000, alongside Argentina’s Diego Maradona.
Legend’s demise
Pelé was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo in end of November because of a respiratory infection and colon cancer complications. The hospital last week announced that his health had deteriorated as his cancer has progressed. According to a statement from Albert Einstein Hospital, he died on Thursday from multiple organ failure affected by the progression of colon cancer.
Tributes have been pouring in from famous celebrities and football players for the legendary player. Among all the first came from Portuguese famous player Ronaldo. Brazilian footballer Neymar said Pelé “changed everything.” In his post on Instagram, he wrote: “He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King!” he added.
Final words…
I am a great football fan and have also been playing in my school days, being part of my School Football team, any news popping from any corner of the world for any team or player excites me to learn more about it. I couldn’t stop myself writing about him and his achievements, this was my way of tribute to the legendary player Pele. He had leave this World but he will always remain in heart of millions across the world. People around the world will always remember him for his greatness and his incredible achievements.
