In an era when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo redefined what it meant to be the best of all time for a new generation of fans, Pele’s name endured, with football’s pantheon united in their estimation of the Brazilian’s abilities.
Real Madrid icon Alfredo di Stefano, for example, famously remarked that Messi and Ronaldo were great, “but Pele was better.” Michel Platini, a man with three Ballons d’Or in his trophy cabinet, declared: “There’s Pele the man, and then Pele the player. And to play like Pele is to play like God.” He was someone who, according to great Johan Cruyff, “surpassed the boundaries of logic.”
The man who would be O Rei (The King) was born Edson Arantes Do Nascimento on October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes, the son of Dondinho – a footballer with Atletico Mineiro – and Celeste Arantes. Like most footballers of that time, Pele’s primary education took place on the dusty streets, where he and his friends played with anything that remotely resembled a ball, but he eventually graduated to one of Brazil’s most vaunted institutions: Santos.
There, the mercurial forward formed part of what quickly became known as a ‘Golden Generation’, helping to deliver six Brazilian championships and two Copa Libertadores titles, as well as success on the world stage with two Inter-Continental Cups. However, the international arena was where his talent received most critical acclaim as he shone for Brazil over the course of 14 years.
Indeed, Pele’s arrival as one of the game’s greats was heralded at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Then a wiry 17-year-old, he seized global admiration after scoring six goals at the tournament, including a remarkable hat-trick in the semi-final against France and two strikes in the final against the hosts to help Brazil clinch their first ever world title.
Four years later, in Chile, Pele was not so lucky. While things got off to an ideal start as he scored one and set up another in the opening 2-0 win over Mexico, the 21-year-old suffered an injury in the second game against Czechoslovakia, which brought his involvement to an end. Though Pele played no part in subsequent matches, Brazil went all the way to the final and secured their second gold crown, with Garrincha, in particular, stepping up to assume creative responsibilities.
The Canarinho fell short in 1966, getting eliminated at the group stage, but they came back with a vengeance in 1970, sweeping all before them en route to glory. Pele was at the heart of what is often considered one of the best ever World Cup-winning teams, surrounded by a host of virtuoso footballers, including stars such as Tostao, Jairzinho and Rivellino.
The Santos striker scored four goals at the tournament and memorably set the tone in the final against Italy by heading in the opener before teeing up Jairzinho for the third and finally serving up the ball for captain Carlos Alberto to put the proverbial cherry on top of a 4-1 victory. “I told myself before the game, he’s made of skin and bones just like everyone else,” said Italy defender Tarcisio Burgnich afterwards. “But I was wrong.”
Though he played four more games for his country, that game in Mexico City was a final poetic contribution from the man Brazilians called The King. His last Brazil game came in the summer of 1971. In all, he scored 77 goals in 92 appearances – a record which eluded gilded goalscorers such as Ronaldo and Romario and, amazingly, still stands to this day (though Neymar will soon surpass him).
Despite his status as one of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world – the King of Football – Pele never crossed the Atlantic to play for a European team, owing to bizarre case of political opportunism. In 1961, as Pele’s ascent was picking up pace, President Janios Quadros – a man who had controversially banned women from wearing bikinis on the beach – passed a bill that made the star footballer a ‘national treasure’. So, despite interest from heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Inter and Juventus, Pele was effectively forced to remain at home.
He did manage one foreign flourish before hanging up his boots for good, however, making the move north to the United States in 1975 to play for New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League and the stateside sojourn even saw him land a Hollywood role in the 1981 John Huston classic ‘Escape to Victory’ alongside Sylvester Stallone.
Descanse em paz™
The death of Pele has prompted a deluge of heartfelt tributes and reflections on his legacy, which is altogether normal when someone dies, particularly if they are a person of international renown. France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to a “king” whose impact on football “will never be forgotten”. Neymar, a player many hoped would emulate Pele and deliver a new era of success for Brazil, penned an articulate, thoughtful message which gives a sense of how his idol transcended the sport.
“[Pele] turned football into art, into entertainment,” wrote the PSG forward. “[He] gave voice to the poor, black people and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King. He’s gone but his magic remains.”
A lot of the tributes are short and sweet – Lionel Messi stuck with a simple ‘rest in peace’, for example – while many have included at least one photo of themselves with the three-time World Cup winner.
I’m not sure why people share photos of themselves along with those they wish to pay tribute to, but it’s common. I have done it myself. I suppose it projects an image of closeness, but in some cases, there is definitely an element of making the moment about them. It will come as little surprise to learn that Jose Mourinho, a man who delights in reminding everyone of his specialness, did exactly that with his tribute.
There is a touch of the Accidental Partridge to it as he opens with an anecdote about how he received a relatively inconsequential award in 2005 and that Pele handed it to him. Then, another line about having a “nice chat” and “nice time” when the Brazilian visited Manchester United during Mourinho’s turbulent tenure, before shoehorning a mention of a business he has an endorsement deal with, who threw an event at which he and Pele “really had a good laugh”. All he is missing is the Castrol GTX jacket. A message of commiseration and sorrow, brought to you by our sponsors.
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