Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé), 23 October 1940 – 29 December 2022
Edson Arantes do Nascimento from Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais has passed away at the age of 82. If you are a fan of "the "beautiful game" then you probably know the virtuoso of football as Pelé.
Pelé came to fame in the World Cup of 1958 and was recognized as the world's first Black football star. But he started playing for the Brazilian national team at the age of 16 (!). He took the Brazilian national team to World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Among the superlatives, he is the holder of a Guinness World Record for goals scored, a TIME Magazine person of the century, an IFFHS World Player of the Century, and IOC Athlete of the Century.
Besides his humanitarian work after retirement, Pelé also served in the Brazilian federal government as Minister of Sport from 1995-1998.
RIP Pelé
He was the best of the best. Showing my daughter videos of this guy and saying, yes, he was better than Maradona.