CNN — Pelé, born into poverty, rose above his humble beginnings and became arguably the greatest soccer player of all time. Much like Muhammad Ali, Pelé transcended his sport and became a symbol of something greater. He brought joy and creativity to a sport that was often rigid and personified the concept of “the beautiful game.” Upon hearing the news of Pelé’s death, current Brazil international Neymar Jr. wrote, “Pele changed everything. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to Black people, and especially, he gave visibility to Brazil.”
Pelé’s career was filled with remarkable achievements. From his impressive debut as a 17-year-old in the 1958 World Cup to his third global title and winning the Golden Ball award in the 1970 World Cup, he accomplished almost everything possible in the iconic yellow and blue jersey of Brazil. His goal-scoring record was also remarkable, with 757 goals in 812 official matches for both club and country. However, there is some disagreement regarding the exact number of goals he scored. While Brazil’s football association and Santos claim he scored 1,283 goals in 1,367 matches, FIFA puts the number slightly lower at 1,281 goals in 1,366 games.
But Pelé’s impact was not solely defined by his goal-scoring prowess. As Neymar highlights, he was an artist on the pitch. CNN Sport’s Don Riddell aptly describes Pelé’s style, stating, “Even if he did not use a brush or a pen, but simply had a ball at his feet.” The world first witnessed Pelé’s talent during the 1958 World Cup, where he amazed spectators as the youngest person to play in the tournament at just 17 years and seven months old. This record stood until 1982 when Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside broke it.
Nearly 15 years after his breakout performance in 1958, Pelé retired from the national team, leaving behind a legacy of the most successful nation in World Cup history and a feared team in international football. Pelé’s crowning moment for Brazil came in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, the first to be broadcast in color. Throughout the tournament, he showcased his skills with a dazzling display of yellow and gold, mesmerizing opposing teams. Pelé’s four goals earned him the player of the tournament title, culminating in an assist for Carlos Alberto’s breathtaking goal in the final against Italy. Reflecting on this achievement, Pelé told CNN, “We won the World Cup, and I think, in my life in sport, that was the pinnacle, no doubt.”
Even moments when Pelé didn’t score added to his legend. England goalkeeper Gordon Banks’ incredible save from Pelé’s powerful header in a group game is widely regarded as the greatest save of all time. Pelé paid tribute to Banks in a Facebook post following the goalkeeper’s death, stating, “The save was one of the best I have ever seen – in real life and in all the thousands of games I have watched since. When you are a footballer, you know straight away how well you have hit the ball. I hit that header exactly as I had hoped. Exactly where I wanted it to go. And I was ready to celebrate. But then this man, Banks, appeared in my sight, like a kind of blue phantom.”
Despite spending the majority of his club career with Santos in Brazil, Pelé’s skill, charisma, and goal-scoring ability turned him into one of the first Black global stars in football. In 2015, Pelé admitted to CNN that he had the opportunity to move to Europe but chose to remain loyal to Santos out of love. This decision further contributes to his beloved status in his home country. According to a recent Netflix documentary, Pelé not only impacted the world of soccer but also became a symbol for a new Brazil. Ben Nicholas, co-director of the documentary, explained, “To cope with that, I think he creates this Pelé character, someone who almost kind of forgoes his own identity to become Brazil essentially.”
Pelé faced challenges off the field as well. The rise of the Brazilian military in 1964, which saw football as a tactical and political strategy, posed difficulties for the apolitical Pelé, as highlighted in the Netflix documentary. The directors of the documentary note that Pelé’s relief rather than joy when discussing this period reflects the pressure he faced. The debate over the greatest of all time in football, whether it’s Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, or Cristiano Ronaldo, will continue forever. However, Pelé’s adoration and love from Brazil cannot be equaled. He stands as a symbol not just of an exceptional footballer but also as a national totem pole.
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