Pele

Tributes pour in from across the worlds of sport, politics and popular culture. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Brazil’s CBF soccer federation said “Pele was much more than the greatest sportsman of all time ... “And also off the field, he was a cool person, not an arrogant athlete.” “God gave me this ability for one reason: To make people happy,” he said during a 2013 interview with Reuters. As a player, souvenir-seeking fans often rushed the field following games and tore off his shorts, socks and even underwear. He also had difficulty walking unaided since an unsuccessful hip operation in 2012. “The game.

He had been receiving regular treatment from doctors ever since undergoing surgery to have a tumour on his colon removed in September 2021, but had been ...

He retired having won three World Cups - and currently remains the only player to do so - and is still Brazil's top scorer with 77 goals from his 92 caps. Pele made his debut for Santos in 1956 in what was the start of a career that would turn the game on its head. His condition failed to improve, with Pele remaining in hospital in Sao Paulo throughout the 2022 World Cup and then for Christmas,

Pele, the magical Brazilian soccer star who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died at the ...

Pele's 1,281 goals in 1,366 games, as tabulated by FIFA's website, came at a startling rate of 0.94 per match. He admitted to other "weaknesses", though. Injuries kept him out of all but two games in the 1962 Cup, which Brazil won. As Pele (sometimes) told it, he often played as goalkeeper in neighbourhood games, and kids began comparing him to a local player named "Bile" - and the letters got twisted over the years. Advertisement

Pele, the soccer virtuoso who helped Brazil to three World Cup championships and was long regarded as the best player the world's favorite sport had ever ...

Player hailed by many as greatest of all time dies in São Paulo hospital after battle with cancer.

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Pelé, the Brazilian football legend, who many regard as the greatest player of all time, has died in hospital in Sao Paulo at the age of 82.

He scored a world record 1,281 goals, playing in 1,363 games during his professional career, which began when he was just 15. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pelé. At the time, the Secretary-General of the Summit, Maurice Strong, described him as not only the greatest footballer in the world, but “a universal man”, rooted in Brazil. He was also appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the crucial UN Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, one of the first major global development and environment summits devoted to a more sustainable future for all. He devoted considerable time in retirement to supporting the UN and its work, both as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund [UNESCO](https://en.unesco.org/), tweeted that it was “deeply saddened” at his passing, and extended condolences to the Brazilian people, and the wider “football family”.

Football fans were united in mourning on Thursday after the death of Pele at the age of 82, with tributes pouring in for the Brazil great who defined his ...

"He was a true believer in the Olympic values," said Bach. "The King gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy." Former Brazil striker Ronaldo wrote: "The world mourns. There was a minute's silence at Spain's LaLiga games and a minute's applause at Olympique de Marseille's Stade Velodrome as the sport heaped honour on one of the greatest athletes in modern history. I saw Pele give a show," said Lula, the president-elect of Brazil. No one has been a king so loved."

PELE, the legendary Brazilian football player who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, ...

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known to the world as Pelé and nicknamed by his admirers as O Rei (The King), is hailed by many as the greatest icon of ...

He also holds the record for most assists in a single World Cup, which came in the 1970 edition of the tournament in Mexico. And his goals made him the youngest ever to score in a FIFA World Cup final. Guinness World Records recognises Messi as the holder of the record for scoring 91 goals in 2012. As such, he is the record holder for most assists in World Cup finals with 3. His appearance in the match alone made him the youngest ever player in a FIFA World Cup final. He is thus the youngest ever to score in a World Cup tournament. The 1958 win was the first FIFA World Cup for Brazil — the most successful nation at the grandest stage of football with five wins. The only footballer in history to win 3 World Cups, and an icon of the game at the level of Muhammad Ali in boxing. The outpouring of love and support for Pelé is not surprising. In its statement, the hospital said, “Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé) was admitted to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein last Tuesday (29) for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for the colon tumor, identified in September 2021. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known to the world as Pelé and nicknamed by his admirers as O Rei (The King), is hailed by many as the greatest icon of the football world. I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy.

Football fans were united in mourning on Thursday (Dec 29) after the death of Pele at the age of 82, with tributes pouring in for the Brazil great who ...

"He was a true believer in the Olympic values," said Bach. "The King gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy." Former Brazil striker Ronaldo wrote: "The world mourns. There was a minute's silence at Spain's LaLiga games and a minute's applause at Olympique de Marseille's Stade Velodrome as the sport heaped honour on one of the greatest athletes in modern history. I saw Pele give a show," said Lula, the president-elect of Brazil. No one has been a king so loved."

Pele was a footballing legend the world over, but for people in Brazil he was so much more.

Again, many felt that was a weak position given his huge influence - and of course the turbulent politics that he lived through - including a dictatorship. Pele was also known to keep his head down when it came to politics. In fact, president Janio Quadros in 1961 even declared him a national treasure, which meant for years he couldn't be "exported" to play for clubs abroad, such was his hero status and importance for national pride. In a country where racism and classism are still so dominant, Pele, a black footballer from a poor background, was an incredible success story. When news eventually came of his passing, it was still a big moment. This is a moment that Brazilians had been expecting for some time but also dreading.

Brazilian football great Pele died on Thursday (Dec 29), aged 82, after a long battle with cancer. The only man to have won the World Cup three times as a ...

"Brazil and the world mourn the death of our eternal number 10, the greatest soccer player of all time. A mere "goodbye" to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that embraces the whole world of football at this moment. "I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside). "One of the greatest footballers in history has left us. The King of Soccer was the ultimate exponent of a victorious Brazil, never afraid of any difficulty. Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today.

Pele is the face of a purity in football that existed long before big money and global geopolitics infiltrated the game, says Simon Chadwick.

He had numerous children – some the result of affairs – and one of them, a son, Edinho, was sent to prison for laundering money made from drug deals. For all of us, even those with just the slightest interest in football, we will never forget him. Indeed, he remains the face of a purity in football that existed long before big money and global geopolitics infiltrated the game. Some believe that it was his brief stint playing in the United States that kick-started the country’s interest in football. At the time, Pele was Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe rolled into one – made globally consumable by this new technology. He became FIFA’s Player of the 20th century, an award he shared with Maradona. For others it goes further: He was the symbol of football played with passion, gusto and a smile. A year later, in 1958, this young player helped his national team win the World Cup in Sweden. In addition to his national team achievements, for his club Pele won six Brazilian league titles and two South American championships. [died at the age of 82](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/football-star-pele-brazilian-legend-beautiful-game-dies-82-3173891). [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/messi-and-ronaldo-are-the-best-ever-end-of-career-era-627816) or Erling Haaland, Pele blazed a goal-scoring trail that marked him out as being significantly different to other players around him. Pele was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Sao Paolo state, Brazil in 1940.

Brazil soccer great Pele died on Thursday aged 82 after a long battle with cancer. Following are reactions to his death from around the world:

A sad day for the world of football, for the world of sport. Today the world of football cries for the loss of O Rei. Our thoughts are with the people of Brazil and the world football family. We extend our condolences to the Brazilian people and the football family. My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. He made football the beautiful game and truly international. A mere "goodbye" to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that embraces the whole world of football at this moment. The King of Kings has died. As I could experience myself, he was a true believer in the Olympic values and a proud carrier of the Olympic flame. Pele was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. One of the greatest footballers in history has left us. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together.

Regarded by most as the greatest footballer of all time, Pele's legacy inspired the world long before the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo became ...

When he signed his first professional contract with Santos in 1956, Pele was given just US$10 a month as a 15-year-old. Interestingly, Pele had to pause his career after his World Cup heroics and serve in the military for six months. A 48-hour ceasefire was declared to allow Federal and Rebel troops to watch him play when he visited. Nineteen years later, he signed a record-breaking three-year US$7 million contract with American outfit New York Cosmos which made him the highest-paid team athlete in the world at that time. In 1995, Brazil’s president Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed Pele as Extraordinary Minister for Sport. Sometimes we had to take 25 or 30 shirts with us to a match – otherwise, we’d never have got out of the stadium alive.” He also played barefoot and famously formed a team called “The Shoeless Ones”. At the age of 6, Pele was shining shoes and selling roasted peanuts outside movie theatres. [Guardian article in 2006](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/13/sport.comment9), Pele wrote: “I thought Pele sounded horrible. He was appointed as the United Nation’s goodwill ambassador in 1994 and helped to protect the environment and fight corruption in Brazil. The Straits Times’ Ervin Ang compiles 10 facts about the Brazilian legend who He was given the nickname Pele as a kid, after he mispronounced the name of one of his father’s teammates – Vasco de Sao Lourenco, a goalkeeper affectionately known as “Bile”.

As the world reels from the death of one of the greatest footballers of all time, we look back on Pelé's finest records and achievements.

He also holds the record for most assists in a single World Cup, which came in the 1970 edition of the tournament in Mexico. Guinness World Records recognises Messi as the holder of the record for scoring 91 goals in 2012. As such, he is the record holder for most assists in World Cup finals with 3. And his goals made him the youngest ever to score in a FIFA World Cup final. He had the eye to find his team-mates in the most perfect of positions for a score, and he deftly passed or crossed the ball over to them whenever such an opportunity arose. His appearance in the match alone made him the youngest ever player in a FIFA World Cup final. [picture of the family](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmk4OJ1NfQB/) in the hospital. The [essence of Christmas](https://www.augustman.com/my/culture/film-tv/best-christmas-movies-to-binge-watch/). The only footballer in history to win 3 World Cups, and an icon of the game at the level of Muhammad Ali in boxing. The 1958 win was the first FIFA World Cup for Brazil — the most successful nation at the grandest stage of football with five wins. In its statement, the hospital said, “Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé) was admitted to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein last Tuesday (29) for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for the colon tumor, identified in September 2021. Pelé was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo for a re-evaluation of his cancer treatment on 29 November.

Retired football legends (from left) Eric Cantona, Pele and Cobi Jones at the launch of the re-turfed football pitch at the Singapore Sports School in March ...

Unfortunately, fans were disappointed as Pele was sidelined with injury as the Cosmos ran out 4-1 winners. Constantly mobbed by young fans, awe-struck to see him for the first time in the flesh, he was 34 and gave coaching lessons during his three-day stay. His first was in November 1974, four years after his third and final World Cup win.

Pele, who is the only player in history to win three World Cups, passed away at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo following a battle with cancer; ...

He said: "For me he is the greatest player of all time. "He gave voice to the poor, to black people and especially: he gave visibility to Brazil. In 2020, he was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team, a greatest of all-time XI. RIP Pele and thank you." In 2013, he was awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur in recognition of his career and achievements. A message from Pele's official Twitter account on Thursday read: "Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.

Tributes for Pelé poured in from around the world following his demise at a hospital in Brazil after a long battle with cancer.

Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. “Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Many of these records are unmatched to this day. Thank you, Pele,” Lula concluded in his tribute in which he recollected his memories of actually watching the magician of football play. “My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Nicknamed by his admirers as O Rei (The King), Pelé breathed his last at the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo, where he had been admitted for a re-evaluation of his colon cancer treatment on 29 November. Reports say that Pelé will be buried in Santos, his hometown and where his career began, following a funeral planned for 2 and 3 January 2023. I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. “Everything we are is thanks to you. Several prominent footballers, world leaders and football clubs paid tributes to Pelé following his death. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known to the world as Pelé, is no more.

SINGAPORE — Self-professed football enthusiast Andrew Koh may not be able to recall exactly the words he exchanged with football icon Pele eleven years ago ...

“I think one of the things that struck me was that he (Pele) was very obliging. He is also believed to have Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him.” I would say that before Pele, football was just a sport. "Before Pele, '10' was just a number. You will be dearly missed.” [trending](/topic/trending) [Pele](/topic/pele) [football](/topic/football) Referring to Pele as “one of the greatest” football players ever, former US President Barack Obama wrote: “(As) one of the most recognisable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. [due to multiple organ failures ](https://www.todayonline.com/world/football-star-pele-brazilian-legend-beautiful-game-dies-82-2082206)resulting from the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous [medical condition](https://www.todayonline.com/world/pele-spend-christmas-hospital-cancer-worsens-2077651)”, according to reports. Posting on Instagram and Facebook, Mr Tan wrote: “He electrified the world with his skills and guile, he inspired generations of great footballers with his magic and joy, and he made us all fall in love with this beautiful game.” Calling the day a “sad day for football”, the 56-year-old posted a photo taken with Pele during the meet-and-greet session on Facebook. SINGAPORE — Self-professed football enthusiast Andrew Koh may not be able to recall exactly the words he exchanged with football icon Pele 11 years ago but he certainly remembers how kind the star, who passed away on Thursday (Dec 29), was to his fans.

THE debate over whether Pele, who died on Thursday (Dec 29) at 82, was the greatest football player ever will never be settled. (For what it's worth, ...

Hong Kong footballing figures remember Pele's trip with club side Santos in 1970, just months after Brazil's third World Cup triumph.

Brazil begins first day of mourning the late footballing legend as landmarks are lit up in tribute.

He regularly faced monkey chants on the pitch and was called several racist nicknames. Lots of parallels have been drawn between Pelé and royalty - he was the closest Brazil had. But really, Brazilians will mourn for much longer. The front pages in Brazil were all talking about Pelé on Friday. He turned football into art, into entertainment. Pelé had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was among those to react to Pele's death as he prepares his side to face Everton on Saturday. “Football is football thanks to these types of people, players and human beings," Guardiola said. “I think Neymar said it, ...

Premier League

The sporting world expressed its sorrow at the death of one of its greatest heroes on Friday, bidding farewell to Brazilian soccer legend Pele with a flood ...

"Pele was our biggest idol in sports. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story The Premier League, EFL and A-League said they would pay tribute to the soccer great through a minute's applause before games.

Brazilian soccer great Pele died on Thursday aged 82 after a long battle with cancer.Here are reactions from Brazil:LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, ...

My condolences to all the family of the King Pele!!" Thank you for the joy you gave the Brazilian people and the people of the world. "Pele was an inspiration for many and even more so for me who played in the same position. The greatest of all time." He was the greatest of all time. Football is in mourning with the departure of the greatest of them all and we mourn his loss. "Everyone has dreamed of being Pele. "Pele was much more than the greatest sportsman of all time. I am proud to have played in two World Cups with the number 10, which was consecrated by him." On the field, Pele had all the technical qualities of a superstar at the highest level. The only three-time world champion showed by his actions that, in addition to being a great athlete, he was also a great citizen and patriot, taking the name of Brazil wherever he went." The King of Soccer was the ultimate exponent of a victorious Brazil, never afraid of any difficulty.

WHICH CLUBS WANTED PELE? The Brazilian attracted interest from teams in Italy and Spain and came close to a move to Inter, according to Ronaldo Nazario. The ...

Pele went on to score 37 goals during his time with the club and played his final game for the Cosmos against beloved former side Santos. I was at Santos, and at the time they were a powerhouse." The Brazilian attracted interest from teams in Italy and Spain and came close to a move to Inter, according to Ronaldo Nazario. The former Inter striker has penned a letter in the Gazzetta dello Sport where he recalled a story Pele told him about a possible move to Inter. Yet Pele only played for two clubs, Santos and New York Cosmos, in his 21-year career, and never made the move to Europe despite interest from some of the continent's top clubs. Had things worked out differently, I may have played for the Old Lady too," he wrote.

Pelé's body will lie at midfield at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira, known popularly as Vila Belmiro, in Santos, Brazil, for 24 hours, from Monday morning to ...

Roger Federer was the Pelé of tennis. “Muhammad Ali was the Pelé of boxing. Michael Phelps was the Pelé of swimming. “His profile as a global icon of sporting excellence and high athletic achievement was an inspirational model which encouraged young men to transcend their limitations and defy all economic, social, cultural and political barriers.” Three times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt.” He lives on in our memories, in the memories of our grandparents.” “He turned football into art, into entertainment, he gave a voice to the poor, to Black people and, above all, he gave visibility to Brazil. “He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. Brazil is in mourning; the whole world is in mourning.” The stadium, in the state of São Paulo, is home to Santos F.C., the club where Pelé spent nearly his entire career. “And I was enchanted from that moment. I confess I had a lot of anger issues regarding Pelé, because he always slaughtered my Corinthians.

Player widely regarded as greatest to ever play the game died at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

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Pele, who is the only player in history to win three World Cups, passed away on Thursday in Sao Paulo at the age of 82 following a battle with cancer; ...

But I repeat, Pele for my father was the best footballer in the world." He said: "The first person who spoke to me about Pele was my father. "He was probably the most complete player that the game has ever seen, and it is a big loss. Guardiola said: "On behalf of Manchester City, the biggest condolences for his family and friends. "It's like a good movie, the legacy after many years. In the past it was Johan Cruyff, Pele and Diego Maradona maybe sandwiched between.

Pelé won his first World Cup only 70 years after slavery was finally abolished in Brazil.

He regularly faced monkey chants on the pitch and had several racist nicknames. The buzz and frenzy during match days could be felt across the city. Traffic would be slower, restaurants busier, and the streets much louder. Pelé was and always will be a household name. A lot. But that does not matter.

"He leaves a legacy, a person of color who was crowned king of soccer, and he also brought a lot of peace outside Brazil," says Jorge Tavares, a resident of ...

"Pelé gives a sense of identity to the Brazilian people." "Pelé is a Black man from the interior of Minas Gerais state," Oliveira said. "We managed to get close to his box, and he waved goodbye," Luz said. Everton Luz, a 41-year-old lawyer, was crying outside the hospital with a Santos club flag wrapped around him. "He represented Brazil to everyone abroad." As a boy, Tavares and his cousins listened to Pelé's World Cup games on the radio.

Brazil on Friday mourned the death of one of its brightest stars, soccer legend Pele, who died at the age of 82 after battling colon cancer for just over a ...

"I'll never forget him, the Brazilian king of soccer," said 67-year-old Antonio da Paz. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story [died](/lifestyle/sports/brazilian-soccer-legend-pele-dies-82-his-daughter-says-2022-12-29/) at the age of 82 after battling colon cancer for just over a year.

"He leaves a legacy, a person of color who was crowned king of soccer, and he also brought a lot of peace outside Brazil," says Jorge Tavares, a resident of ...

"Pelé gives a sense of identity to the Brazilian people." "Pelé is a Black man from the interior of Minas Gerais state," Oliveira said. "We managed to get close to his box, and he waved goodbye," Luz said. Everton Luz, a 41-year-old lawyer, was crying outside the hospital with a Santos club flag wrapped around him. "He represented Brazil to everyone abroad." As a boy, Tavares and his cousins listened to Pelé's World Cup games on the radio.