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Brazilian great Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, passed away on early on Friday morning (IST) after a long battle with the ailment of cancer. Pele has been suffering from this disease for a while now, and the three-time World Cup winner will now join some of football's greatest names like Diego Maradona, Alfredo di Stefano and Johan Cruyff in the football team of the heavens.
During the FIFA World Cup 2022, Pele was under 'elevated care related to 'kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.' His death will mark the end of an era, as Pele is the only player in football history to win the coveted trophy THRICE.
Pele's career, like all footballers, had its ups and downs. At the young age of 15, the Brazilian was thrust into the limelight, making his debut for Santos and by the time he was 16, Pele became the top scorer in the league.
This fast-tracked his talent, and ten months after signing professionally, the teenager was called up to the Brazil national team. Ironically, his first international match was a 2–1 defeat against Argentina. Pele was the lone goalscorer in that match, scoring his first goal for Brazil aged 16 years and nine months. He remains the youngest goalscorer for his country.
Pele made his World Cup debut in 1958 when Brazil hosts Sweden 5–2 in the final of the competition.
When the 1962 World Cup started, He injured himself in the second game, keeping him out of the rest of the tournament, but he turned the tide in 1970 as Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the final in Mexico City. In that game, Pelé scored the opening goal and then assisted Brazil's third goal and fourth goals as the legend created history in his final FIFA World Cup appearance.
Pele's club career was not as successful as his international one. He chose to play for most of his career in Brazil, unlike many of his current compatriots, playing only for New York Cosmos other than Santos. Among his many accolades, he was presented with the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pele was one of the most decorated players in World football. It is a pity that many in the current generation of football fans never got to witness his greatness, but the talent that he possessed was unparalleled and the world has lost yet another bright light of the beautiful game.
