Edson Arante do Nascimiento, better known as Pelewas a figure on the world football scene for being one of the most talented Brazilian forwards in the history of the sport. It transformed the meaning of “nice game” and installed a particular way of playing it.
Its humble beginnings in Três Corações until the historic conquest of three World Cups with his teamin the years 1958, 1962 and 1070, left their mark on the history of football.
Despite retiring as a professional player in the 1970s, Pelé not only put an end to his sporting career, but It was a symbol of the closing of a football era. Pelé’s relationship with Diego Armando Maradona, the other great South American soccer player, moved between rivalry and the respect that both had for each other.
Pelé’s football career
Pelé’s professional debut was at a very young age and he quickly became the world’s spotlight after consecrating champion in 1958, when he was barely 17 years old and gave his country the first global title for his country.
He was one of the most influential scorers of the time and towards the end of the 70s, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos, which meant the incursion into the North American league and the expansion of the sport. His retirement marked a period marked with success, media charisma and global impact..
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Pelé’s last game
The end of Pelé’s career as a professional soccer player was in the match that was played on October 1, 1977, at Giants Stadium, which is located in New York.
It was a farewell match between the New York Cosmos and his former club, Santos of Brazil. He was able to say goodbye in front of more than 70,000 spectators and although the result was relegated to the background, the Cosmos won 2 to 1, a goal from him in the rain put an end to the era of the football magnate and marked the image of a legend that many knew as “the King of football”“O King.”
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After retiring he was appointed as Citizen of the World by the United Nations Organization (UN) in 1977, Extraordinary Minister of Sports by the government of Brazil between 1994 and Knight of Honor of the British Empire in 1997.
What was the relationship between Pelé and Maradona really like?
The relationship between Pelé and Maradona went beyond football limitsgiven that They were both seen as the best in the worldwhich generated constant comparisons and tensions. Pelé, whose professional career was about to end when Diego emerged as a soccer star, wanted to put aside the rivalry and fostered mutual respect.
When Maradona passed away in 2020, Pelé expressed himself publicly and sent his affection and admiration: “One day, in heaven, we will play together on the same team“He said in an emotional message. Finally, at the age of 82, he died in 2022 after battling colon cancer. The football emblems met again in the afterlife and surely played a match as the Brazilian star wanted.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
