Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) has passed away at the age of 82 after a hard fight against colon cancer. He was considered one of the most important soccer players in all of history. Him being described by FIFA as “the greatest of all”. He led the Brazilian national team to win three World Cups. In 1958, 1962 and 1970.
At the age of 16, Pelé began his professional career at the Santos F.C. and quickly became an international star. With Santos, he won five Paulista League titles and two Copa Libertadores. His skill in the sport was vital in Brazil’s clinching of the 1958 World Cup title.
Since then, Pelé became a fundamental figure of the national team. He led Brazil to victory in the 1962 World Cups held in Chile and the 1970 held in Mexico.
Pelé also had a distinguished career in the US league, where he played for the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977. During his time with the Cosmos, Pelé helped fuel interest in soccer in the country. In addition, he was key in the creation of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
In total, Pelé played more than 1,000 professional matches and scored more than 1,000 goals. He thus became one of the most successful scorers in football history. In addition to his achievements on the field, Pelé is also known for his humanitarian work and his commitment to the development of the sport around the world.
Pelé’s incredible career in soccer and off the pitch
Throughout his career, Pelé has received numerous awards and recognitions. Including the Order of Rio Branco, the highest distinction awarded by the Brazilian government. Also the Order of the Infante Don Enrique, the highest distinction awarded by the Spanish government. In 1999, FIFA named him “Player of the Century” and in 2004 he was named “Ambassador of Peace” by the United Nations.
Despite his retirement from football in 1977, Pelé remained an important figure in the world of sports. He was respected and admired around the world for his talent and contribution to soccer. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021 and days ago the former player’s health worsened. “I am strong, with a lot of hope and I continue my treatment as always. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received,” was one of the last messages he left on social networks before his death. .
Pele’s personal life
As a public figure and one of the greatest footballers of all time, his personal life was of great interest throughout his career on and off the pitch. Pelé married Rosemeri Cholbi in 1966 with whom he had four children: Kelly, Cristina, Edinho and Jennifer. They divorced in 1978. The player remarried in 1994 to Assiria Seixas Lemos, with whom he had two twins, Josua and Celeste. They were together until his death.
He participated in the movie Evasion or victory (1981) with Bobby Moore, Paul Van Himst, Osvaldo Ardiles and other important players of the time. He was in the company of top-tier actors like Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone. In addition, he was in charge of designing the game choreography for the match during the feature film. He also participated in Eleven Plus One, a 1983 telefilm based on a true story. It was also the last intervention of actor John Huston on the screen.