Pele

The Brazilian football legend has passed away from cancer. A three-time FIFA World Cup winner and top scorer in the history of the men's Seleção alongside ...

In 1970, he became the first - and still only - player to win three World Cup titles, as part of a squad regarded as one of the greatest teams in the history of sports. Pelé was also part of the team that won the World Cup in 1962, and became a two-time club world champion with Santos. The nickname Pelé emerged when a young Edson couldn’t pronounce the name of goalkeeper Bilé, who played in his hometown. In 1956, he began playing for Santos, the team that launched him into stardom. Pelé was born in Tres Coracoes, in the state of Minas Gerais, on October 23 1940. An all-around footballer with a special talent, Pelé won fans across all continents of the world.

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

He answered his critics in spectacular style as Brazil regained the trophy in Mexico. He has a further two children from his marriage to his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas, a gospel singer, which began in 1994. He and Marcia married in 2016. Pele was exposed to some brutal challenges from defenders, in particular those of Portugal, as the South Americans failed to get out of their group. Pele is eternal and we will always work to preserve his history and continue his legacy." He headed Brazil in front in the final against Italy and his languid pass into the path of Carlos Alberto completed a sublime team move for the final goal in a 4-1 win. Rest in peace." He first had trials at Santos in June 1956, and his scoring exploits for the club in the Sao Paulo state championship propelled him into the Brazil squad for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Injury curtailed his involvement in the 1962 World Cup as Brazil retained the trophy in Chile, and the player was criticised for not speaking out against the military coup in Brazil two years later. Injury affected his contribution to the finals in 1962, when Brazil retained their title, and 1966, but he returned to lead his country to glory for a third time in Mexico in 1970, as part of what is widely regarded as the greatest line-up of all time. Pele burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes in the competition. We love you infinitely.

The Brazil great was always willing to attempt the extraordinary and in doing so he redefined what was possible on the pitch.

He has a further two children from his marriage to his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas, a gospel singer, which began in 1994. "The shirt he wore against me in that 1970 match is my prize possession. That set up a final meeting with the hosts, where he scored twice more in a 5-2 win as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. Santos flaunted their stellar team with extensive continental tours and, when asked why he never accepted an offer to play in Europe for the likes of determined suitors Inter Milan, Pelé cited the amount of travelling involved. It was not to be plain sailing in Chile, however. If we are going to die, then so be it." He underwent a successful hip replacement operation in 2017, but was in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow. Brazil unleashed the 17-year-old against Wales and France in the quarter and semi-finals; he scored the winner against Wales and a hat-trick against the French. This time the now 29-year-old stayed fit throughout and, with a goal against Italy in the final, he would cap his finest display on the world stage as the star man in what is widely recognised as the greatest line-up ever assembled. By the time of the 1962 World Cup finals in Chile he was no longer the unknown quantity of four years earlier, but instead the most sought-after talent in the world. Once he had scored on his senior debut he never looked back, plundering goals galore in the Sao Paulo state championship and flying straight into the Brazil squad for the 1958 World Cup after winning his first cap the year before. But they only enhanced the overall impression of Pelé as one of football's pioneers, a man who ended his playing days with three World Cup titles to his name and over a thousand career goals, including 77 in 92 appearances for his country.

Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday ...

He changed his mind and was rejuvenated in the 1970 World Cup. He led the Cosmos to the 1977 league title and scored 64 goals in three seasons. 1, 1977, in an exhibition between the Cosmos and Santos before a crowd in New Jersey of some 77,000. Pelé likened the save — one of the best in World Cup history — to a “salmon climbing up a waterfall.” Later, he scored the opening goal in the final against Italy, his last World Cup match. He went to the 1958 World Cup as a reserve but became a key player for his country’s championship team. Brazil was knocked out in the group stage and Pelé, angry at the rough treatment, swore it was his last World Cup. He scored in the final and set up Carlos Alberto with a nonchalant pass for the last goal in a 4-1 victory over Italy. When he visited Washington to help popularize the game in North America, it was the U.S. Despite his youth and 5-foot-8 frame, he scored against grown men with the same ease he displayed against friends back home. Pelé’s fame was such that in 1967 factions of a civil war in Nigeria agreed to a brief cease-fire so he could play an exhibition match in the country. “He is key for Black people’s pride in Brazil, but never wanted to be a flagbearer.” He was carried off the field on teammates’ shoulders after scoring two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over the host country in the final.

In addition to his remarkable talent and record breaking goal scoring feats, the sheer joy with which he embraced the game will continue to inspire and bring ...

I feel very lucky to have got to know and and spend time with you through the years. “All the players loved him, which is always a great sign. Singer Nicky Byrne posted a photograph of himself hugging Pelé and wrote online: “I was lucky enough to meet Pelé at Soccer Aid some years ago. Our condolences to our Brazilian friends here at home and to football fans across the world on this sad day for our game.” “Indeed his name will forever be synonymous with football itself, as perhaps the greatest player ever to play the game. “It is particularly poignant that Pelé should have died so soon after the World Cup, that greatest stage which he graced like no other.

Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those to contextualise Pele's importance to the beautiful game.

And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. “Indeed his name will forever be synonymous with football itself, as perhaps the greatest player ever to play the game. In each of our meetings I was struck by that same sense of joy with which he graced the football pitch. “It is particularly poignant that Pele should have died so soon after the World Cup, that greatest stage which he graced like no other,” President Higgins wrote in a statement. It was a privilege to present the Olympic Order to him.” You will forever be in the hearts, minds and history books as one of the biggest legends of the game.. “My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento,” Ronaldo said. My sincere condolences to your family and friends.” He celebrated the game like no other. RIP Pele and thank you.” I feel very lucky to have got to know and spend time with you through the years.

The Brazilian superstar, regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time, has died aged 82.

He has a further two children from his marriage to his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas, a gospel singer, which began in 1994. “The shirt he wore against me in that 1970 match is my prize possession. That set up a final meeting with the hosts, where he scored twice more in a 5-2 win as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. Santos flaunted their stellar team with extensive continental tours and, when asked why he never accepted an offer to play in Europe for the likes of determined suitors Inter Milan, Pelé cited the amount of travelling involved. It was not to be plain sailing in Chile, however. Today I love it because God gave it to me – a short name, easy to pronounce. If we are going to die, then so be it.” He underwent a successful hip replacement operation in 2017, but was in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow. Paying tribute to Moore after the Englishman’s death in 1993, Pelé said: “He was one of the world’s finest defenders and a great sportsman. Brazil unleashed the 17-year-old against Wales and France in the quarter and semi-finals – he scored the winner against Wales and a hat-trick against the French. “I hated it at that time. The Brazil great was always willing to attempt the extraordinary and in doing so he redefined what was possible on the pitch.

Pele - perhaps the greatest footballer this world has ever seen - has died. Born Edson Arantes ...

He was in a wheelchair for 2017's World Cup draw in Moscow. He would the world's highest paid athlete playing what - at that stage - was a marginal sport in America. The story was that, back in those days, the slo-mo camera cost something like £5,000 a second. And in the semi-final win over Uruguay, he galloped into an acre of space in the inside right channel. A year later - aged 34 - he was lured out of retirement by yet more missionary work. Four years later, he was once again in the crosshairs of coaches and defenders alike. That was until captain Carlos Alberto strode into view and walloped the ball past Albertosi. The Brazilian players led by Pele - in bright yellow and blue set against a lush, verdant Azteca turf - would leave an indelible impression on those lucky enough to witness their genius. "The games had been a revelation to me in their unsportsmanlike conduct and weak refereeing. While his career totals were inflated by tour matches and the like, there's no denying his 643 goals in 659 official appearances for Santos. The 17-year old scored six goals - two of which came in the final - to secure Brazil's first ever World Cup. He'd been an integral part of the side that won five consecutive Campeonato Brasileiro between 1961 and 1965.

The three-time World Cup winner had been in hospital in Sao Paulo since late November.

He answered his critics in spectacular style as Brazil regained the trophy in Mexico. Pelé was exposed to some brutal treatment from defenders, in particular those of Portugal, as the South Americans failed to get out of their group. Pelé’s daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: “We are thanks to you.

By James Cann, PA. Pelé famously described football as 'o jogo bonito' – the beautiful game – and arguably no individual did more to make it so.

He has a further two children from his marriage to his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas, a gospel singer, which began in 1994. “The shirt he wore against me in that 1970 match is my prize possession. That set up a final meeting with the hosts, where he scored twice more in a 5-2 win as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. Santos flaunted their stellar team with extensive continental tours and, when asked why he never accepted an offer to play in Europe for the likes of determined suitors Inter Milan, Pelé cited the amount of travelling involved. It was not to be plain sailing in Chile, however. Today I love it because God gave it to me – a short name, easy to pronounce. If we are going to die, then so be it.” He underwent a successful hip replacement operation in 2017, but was in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow. Paying tribute to Moore after the Englishman’s death in 1993, Pelé said: “He was one of the world’s finest defenders and a great sportsman. Brazil unleashed the 17-year-old against Wales and France in the quarter and semi-finals – he scored the winner against Wales and a hat-trick against the French. “I hated it at that time. The Brazil great was always willing to attempt the extraordinary and in doing so he redefined what was possible on the pitch.

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.

Pele is hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates after Brazil won the World Cup final. Pelé in 1970, when he became the only man to win three World Cups.Credit ...

He had already done everything there was to do: He had scored a thousand goals; he had broken countless records; he had decorated the game with endless moments of wonder. He had retained the World Cup in 1962 but been injured for the tournament’s decisive matches. It was enough to make opponents relish facing him and to draw fans, thousands upon thousands of them, to his games, meaningless or not. It was, by the standards of those who can breathe in the rarefied air of a World Cup final, a pass that was easy. A far better gauge of Pelé’s legacy would be not those bald, raw numbers but something far less tangible: the scope and the extent of his fame. To do so, though, strips away process for raw output; it reduces an athlete who defined not only a whole class of player — before Pelé, as Neymar said, “10 was just a number” — but an entire soccer culture to nothing but a productive goal scorer. He had already racked up more than a thousand games, condemned to partake in an endless parade of exhibitions as his club, Santos, sought to monetize his fame and pay his salary. Before that, for the vast majority of fans — especially outside Brazil — Pelé had only existed in black-and-white footage. As the journalist Andrew Downie has observed, it is noteworthy how many of the most lasting images of Pelé come from that World Cup. And yet, other than perhaps his poise and arguably his vision, the pass does not display any of the traits that made Pelé Pelé. Then he plays the pass, almost with a shrug, gently guiding the ball to the exact spot where Carlos Alberto requires it to be so that he can meet it, at full speed, without breaking stride. It was not a pass that he made look easy.

The Brazilian star makes the front pages of newspapers around the world on Friday, as they mourn a legend of the game.

Scotland’s Daily Record calls it the “Death of a legend”. The paper writes that the “world hails ‘divine’ genius who made football beautiful”. One of Brazil’s main paper’s, O Globo, has printed an unprecedented four editions, with different covers marking different points in Pelé’s career.

Here, we take a tournament-by-tournament look at his career in the sport's biggest event. ​. Sweden 1958. Pele missed the first two matches through injury ...

Pele had vowed never to play in the World Cup again but changed his mind and was rewarded with a third winners’ medal. Brazil travelled to England with high hopes of a hat-trick of triumphs but Pele was singled out for some brutal treatment in the first match against Bulgaria. Aged 17 years and 239 days, Pele became the youngest player to appear in a World Cup final and scored twice – the first with a flick over a defender and volley into the corner of the net – as Brazil beat hosts Sweden 5-2.

Pele arrives at London Airport for a friendly between England and World Cup holders Brazil in May 1963. The striker, still feeling the effects of injuries ...

RTÉ's Dave Kelly recalls the remarkable life of the man born Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

For a relatively small forward at 5'8", he was strong in the air. Several chances had come and gone before Santos won a second-half penalty, somewhat on the soft side, after Pele was fouled. When the tournament came around, a 29-year-old Pele was at his peak and his impact was immense. For the record, Santos won 3-2, and a somewhat jaded Pele was not among the goalscorers. He replaced his ripped shirt with a fresh one, with 1,000 on the back. "Even the sky was crying", a Brazilian newspaper proclaimed the next day. Carlos Alberto stepped aside, and with his team-mates on the halfway line, Pele successfully dispatched the penalty. Over 100,000 were inside the Maracana Stadium for a club game between Vasco da Gama and Santos. Muhammad Ali was among those in attendance, before a crowd of 77,000. In Brazil's 1962 successful defence of the World Cup, Pele only played a minor role. For FIFA, the majesty in which Brazil, orchestrated by Pele, won the tournament, elevated the World Cup to new heights. His goal was decisive as Brazil beat Wales at the quarter-finals stage.

Pele famously described football as 'o jogo bonito' – the beautiful game – and arguably no individual did more to make it so.

He has a further two children from his marriage to his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas, a gospel singer, which began in 1994. That set up a final meeting with the hosts, where he scored twice more in a 5-2 win as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. “The shirt he wore against me in that 1970 match is my prize possession. Santos flaunted their stellar team with extensive continental tours and, when asked why he never accepted an offer to play in Europe for the likes of determined suitors Inter Milan, Pele cited the amount of travelling involved. It was not to be plain sailing in Chile, however. Today I love it because God gave it to me – a short name, easy to pronounce. If we are going to die, then so be it.” He underwent a successful hip replacement operation in 2017, but was in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow. Brazil unleashed the 17-year-old against Wales and France in the quarter and semi-finals – he scored the winner against Wales and a hat-trick against the French. “I hated it at that time. But they only enhanced the overall impression of Pele as one of football’s pioneers, a man who ended his playing days with three World Cup titles to his name and over a thousand career goals, including 77 in 92 appearances for his country. The Brazil great was always willing to attempt the extraordinary and in doing so he redefined what was possible on the pitch.

Pele is remembered for his skill on the football field but also for transcending the sport and becoming one of the world's most famous people.

"The world of mourning. RIP Pele and thank you." Today and always, we celebrate you." The king of football - only one The greatest of all time. "Where Pele arrived, he stayed. "Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! Pele is FOREVER!!" Eternity." And that's how it will stay alive. Pele has changed it all." The king. The government of Jair Bolsonaro, who finishes his term as Brazil's president on Sunday, said that Pele was "a great citizen and patriot, raising the name of Brazil wherever he went".

James Caan looks at the late Pele's career, which included over 1000 career goals and three World Cups.

He has a further two children from his marriage to his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas, a gospel singer, which began in 1994. That set up a final meeting with the hosts, where he scored twice more in a 5-2 win as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. He and Marcia married in 2016. "The shirt he wore against me in that 1970 match is my prize possession. Brazilian league titles won with Santos - every year from 1961 to 1965, plus 1968. goals for his long-time Brazilian club Santos - though again, friendlies are included. Santos flaunted their stellar team with extensive continental tours and, when asked why he never accepted an offer to play in Europe for the likes of determined suitors Inter Milan, Pele cited the amount of travelling involved. It was not to be plain sailing in Chile, however. "I got two days suspended because everybody in the school called me Pele. If we are going to die, then so be it." Pele's age in the 1958 tournament - he remains the youngest man to play in a World Cup final and to score a World Cup hat-trick. Brazil unleashed the 17-year-old against Wales and France in the quarter and semi-finals - he scored the winner against Wales and a hat-trick against the French.

For Ireland legend Liam Brady, three-time World Cup winner Pele stands at the top of the pantheon of football's greats, as he shared memories of watching ...

But we were just in awe of the fact that he was there. In my opinion, he was because I was lucky enough to see him." The king of football has passed." "He was just out of this world and I suppose Maradona followed after him, another generation, and then we've had Messi win the World Cup. "But he was also very unselfish as well. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.

Sir Bobby Charlton, England's World Cup winner in 1966: "I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player." Pele with fellow football ...

He's the greatest player of all time, and by some distance, I might add." Retired Brazil star Zico: "This debate about the player of the century is absurd. The late Hungary star Ferenc Puskas: "The greatest player in history was Di Stefano. Retired France star and three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini: "There's Pele the man, and then Pele the player. Alfredo Di Stefano, the late Argentinian-born star for Real Madrid: "The best player ever? Here is a selection of quotes by fellow players, past and present.

Born into poverty -- he used to kick a grapefruit around Brazil's Minas Gerais state -- Pelé finished his career as arguably soccer's greatest ever player.

Clearly, a footballer needs to make a living from the game. “There isn’t that love of playing for my club, playing for my country. [Diego Maradona](http://www.cnn.com/2018/06/11/football/world-cup-argentina-england-1986-diego-maradona/index.html)? It was a surprise for us,” Pelé told CNN in 2016. The greatest team to never win the World Cup? He gave a voice to the poor, to Black people and especially. Or is it And I was ready to celebrate. Exactly where I wanted it to go. “When we arrived in Sweden, no one knew what Brazil was. He gave visibility to Brazil.” From dazzling as a 17-year-old in 1958 on his way to his first World Cup success to claiming the Golden Ball award as player of the 1970 World Cup as he won a third global title, “O Rei” (“The King”) achieved almost everything possible in the famous yellow and blue of Brazil.

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.

It is 50 years since the legendary Brazilian footballing great, who died on Thursday aged 82, played against a combined Bohemians/Drumcondra for Santos in ...

"I talked to the president (John Delaney) and he said, 'Trapattoni is here'. 40 years earlier, Pele had scored his 1,000th goal and dedicated it to the children of Brazil. “I used to tell Trapattoni, 'You look like my wife. Wherever I go, you go. "He did it accidentally. I don't think he thought he was going to handle the ball."

The footballing world has paid tribute to Pele following the death of the Brazil great at the age of 82.

This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career. "His name will forever be synonymous with football itself, as perhaps the greatest player ever to play the game. In each of our meetings I was struck by that same sense of joy with which he graced the football pitch. "He turned football into art, into entertainment He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Someone who played with the stars and always stayed down to earth. Pele is eternal and we will always work to preserve his history and continue his legacy." "It's like a good movie, the legacy after many years. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. RIP Pele and thank you." Sao Paulo's government said it would name a new road complex to the city of Santos, where Pele played club soccer, "Rei Pele" ('King Pele'). I saw Pele give a show," said Lula, the president-elect of Brazil. "Before Pele, 10 was just a number.