Pele, the God of Football

Pele, the Brazilian football legend, is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He is a true icon of the sport, and his impact on football is still felt to this day.

 

Pele began his professional career at the age of 17 with Santos FC, where he spent 18 years, before moving to the New York Cosmos for the last two years of his career. Throughout his time at Santos, Pele led the team to numerous domestic and international titles, including two Copa Libertadores and two Intercontinental Cup. He also helped Brazil win three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a feat that has not been repeated since.

 

Pele's style of play was marked by his incredible technical ability, vision, and creativity. He was able to score goals in a variety of ways, whether it was with his feet, head, or even his chest. His incredible ball control, speed, and agility made him a nightmare for defenders, and his ability to score from anywhere on the field made him one of the most feared goal-scorers of all time.

 

Pele's impact on football is not limited to just his playing days. His charismatic personality and global appeal helped promote the sport to a wider audience. He was able to transcend borders and bring people together through the beautiful game. Pele's success helped to pave the way for future generations of South American players to make their mark on the world stage.

 

Pele's impact on football can also be seen in the way the sport is played today. His emphasis on teamwork, ball control, and creativity helped to shape the modern game. Many of today's top players, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have cited Pele as a major influence on their own playing styles.

 

Off the field, Pele's achievements are just as impressive. He is the only player to have scored over 1,000 goals in his career, a feat that many believe will never be matched. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup finals with 12. Pele also won numerous individual awards throughout his career, including three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and the Ballon d'Or thrice.

 

In addition to his footballing achievements, Pele was also known for his philanthropy and humanitarian work. He has been a United Nations ambassador for ecology and the environment and has also been involved in numerous charitable organizations.

 

One of the most memorable moments in Pele's career came in 1969, when he scored his 1,000th goal. The match was between Santos and Vasco da Gama and Pele scored the goal with a penalty kick. The goal was celebrated with great enthusiasm, and it was a moment that cemented Pele's place in football history.

 

Unfortunately, we saw the demise of the legend on 29^th December 2022 at the age of 82. Due to cancer his health had been deteriorating the past couple of years and he would be seen on the wheelchair most of the times. According to the hospital his death was due to “multiple organ failures resulting from the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous medical condition.” FIFA announced that every country should have a stadium named behind Pele’s name to honour the legend.

 

Pele was a true legend of the game. His impact on football is still felt to this day, and his achievements will forever be etched in the annals of football history. His charismatic personality and global appeal helped promote the sport to a wider audience, and his emphasis on teamwork, ball control, and creativity helped to shape the modern game. Pele will always be remembered as one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football field.