Pele, one of a kind

Thursday in Brazil, the man considered one of football’s greatest ambassadors died at the age of 82.

Pele, born in 1940 as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, won three World Cups for his homeland during a career that spanned 21 years, 1,363 matches, and 1,281 goals. Following Brazil’s 1958 World Cup win, he became known as “The King,” and has arguably been called “the greatest footballer of all-time,” a title that is well-deserved not only for his achievements on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. He also helped raise the level of soccer interest in the United States when he played for the New York Cosmos.

In 2000, he was named FIFA’s Player of the Century.

France and PSG star Kylian Mbappe said, “His legacy will never be forgotten.”

During his early career he dealt with taunting and racism, but in the end, he persevered and became a cultural icon not only in Brazil, but around the globe.

When watching highlights from his fabulous career, you have to proclaim he was one of a kind, a genius on the ball, and the ultimate scoring machine.

RIP Pele, you were the beautiful game.

Gunner1953