|
|
Once called the greatest player ever in any sport, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (known the world over as Pele) was born in the small Brazilian town of Tres Coracoes on October 23rd, 1940. Although impossible to describe what Pele was and has meant to soccer in one short paragraph, we will attempt to convey the depth of his influence on the game – and the world. One might guess that the best indication of Pele's contributions to soccer would be in a review of the statistics, such as scoring 1,281goals in 1,363 professional games, or perhaps leading the Brazilians to win 3 world cups . . . But that doesn't tell the full story. One must also recall the time that Pele was actually responsible for the interruption of a civil war in Nigeria, both sides signing a 48-hour armistice so that that, together, they could go to watch him play an exhibition match! And we must remember the 200,000 people that grieved in front of the monumental Maracana in Brazil when the great Pele decided to leave the national team . . . Interestingly, this sports figure has been the inspiration for some unusual quotes - Brazilian journalist, Armando Nogueira, once said, "If Pele hadn't been born a man, he would have been born a ball!"
|
