The memories of world football can never fade out without the mentioning of a world-class, humble and respected professional footballer popularly known as Pele.
Yesterday marked the midfielder’s 78th birthday and Awake News‘ [ads1]Kofi Tamakloe takes you down to the mystery of his research and why he still celebrates Pele as his favourite football legend.
The Name Pele
Do you know Pele’s original name and why the name Pele?
The footballer humanitarian was born on the 23rd of October,1940 to Dondinho and Celeste Arantes. His real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento. He was originally Nick named as “Dico” by his family. He received the name Pele during his school days after he is claimed to have misspoke the name of his favourite player, local Vasco da Gama goalkeeper Bile. But human as we are, the name Pele stuck the more he complained.
Facts check:
No wonder the name Pele has a mysterious meaning in Hawaii. In the Hawaiian religion, Pele is the goddess of fire and volcanoes and the creator of the Hawaiian islands… She is also known as ” She who shapes the sacred land” known to be said in ancient Hawaiian chants.
78 year Pele is still remembered in the history of world football due to certain facts about the attacking midfielder. Here are 8 of them:
- At the international level, Pele won the world cup three times i.e. Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, and in Mexico 1970. This made him the only player to get three medals.
- After the 1958 world cup, Pele was declared a national treasure by the Brazilian government.
- He won the Copa America in Argentina 1959.
- Pele is the all time leading scorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games.
- At club level, he made 638 appearances for Santos ( from 1956 to 1974) scoring 619 goals. This made him the all time goal scorer for the side and led the club to the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores.
- Also, at New York Cosmos (1975 – 1977), he made 65 appearances with 31 goals. This, he was named Honorary President of New York Cosmos in 2010.
- In 1999, he was voted “world player of the century” by the International Federation Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), and was also one of the two joint winners of the FIFA player of the Century award.
- In 1999, Pele was elected Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.
Summary:
In summary, Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) retired from world football in 1977 at age 37 and has received several individual and team awards for his performance in the field, his record-breaking achievement, and legacy in the sports.
According to the IFFHS, Edson Arantes do Nascimento is the most successful league goal scorer in the world, scoring 1281 in 1363 appearances, which includes unofficial friendlies and tour games. Also, he had the most hat – tricks ever (92 hat – tricks), most world cup medals (3 medals).
So I say ayeeko to the man of football legendary, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Dico) and now Pele. Happy belated birthday.
If not one of the greatest, then the greatest.
Main Source: Wikipedia .
By: Kofi Tamakloe
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