Football is the most popular sport in the world. It is played, watched and loved by many football fans around the globe. To these countries football is not only a sport but an emotion and a sport that unites their team as a whole. Pretty much like how cricket is the most played and loved sport of India.
The country that loves football the most is of course Brazil and Brazil’s top most player Pele. But Pele didn’t rise to the top overnight, he had to go through a lot of struggles, sacrifices and choices to reach where he is today.
Pele was born on 23rd October 1940 in a small village of Três Corações, in Brazil. He wasn’t always called Pele; his real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento. At a young age he used to train under his father who taught him how to play the game. He liked the game so much that he dropped out of school just so he could play football. When he was just 11 years old, he started to get proper training under a coach.
When Pele was only 9 years, he overheard the match between Uruguay and Brazil. When Brazil lost the match and ultimately the world cup, he decided that he would play for the country one day and make them win the world cup. So, in 1956 he started his career to play professional football. He joined the Santos football club and broke many records previously unbroken.
However, Brazil would be led by Pele to victory in the 1958 world cup by beating Sweden 5-2. He also made history as being the youngest Brazilian to play for the Brazil national team at just 17 years. After the victory Pele was considered a national treasure by the Brazilian government. He would go on to win another 2 world cups in 1962 and 1970. He was considered the king of football at the time. He also retired in 1977 a great career indeed.
After his retirement he wrote books about his life, composed music and also was Brazil's Minister of Sports for four years. Pele died on 29th December 2022 in the city of Sao Paulo in Brazil.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are to do.” ― Pele.
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