By Adeola Akanbi
Widely regarded as the greatest of all time with three world cup triumphs, the only one in history to ever achieved this feat is the Brazilian legend Pele who passed on to the great beyond at the age of 82.
Those who watched the iconic Brazilian number 10 in his playing days have attested to the natural artistry of Pele, the one who made Football back then in Brazil and globally a joy and spectacle to watch.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento known by his nickname Pele was born on the 23rd, of October 1940 in Sao Paulo Brazil, he made his name through football, playing most of his football career in Brazil and becoming prominent at 17 years old as he played a significant role in Brazil’s maiden Would cup triumph at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
He would later go on to score 1,281 goals in 1,363 games for both club and country in a scintillating career that spanned over 20 years of popularity and greatness, he was Brazil’s record goalscorer with 77 goals for many years.
He cemented his legacy at the 1970 world cup in Mexico with outstanding performances that have been regarded as the greatest individual displays from a football player as he recorded 4 goals on the way to Brazil’s third World Cup triumph that made him three times winner of the World Cup.
Pele’s style of play was like an artist putting the artworks together, his combination of vision, passing, intelligence, dribbling, and accurate and powerful shot made him a global football maestro in his playing days.
The Brazilian legend was seen as a figure of emancipation and hope for the people in his country during both his football active days and retirement.
The FIFA player of the century award he shared with the late Diego Maradona in 2000, the Golden ball winner in the 1970 World Cup, and the world player of the century by IFFHS in 2000 are among his multiple notable individual awards.
Pele, however, will not only be remembered for football but likewise, for the legacy, he left in the beautiful game.
