Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of ‘beautiful game,’ has died (82)

[Shwafta]

Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of ‘beautiful game,’ has died

SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday. He was 82. The standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021.

apnews.com

Never got to see him play live, of course, but this is gutting news.

Rest in Peace, King.

 

[GratefulDawg]

I'm not old enough to have seen him play on TV but do remember the late years of NASL. So, this hurts.

We can thank him for the popularity of this sport in the U.S.

 

[mgarbowski]

I did see him play for the Cosmos, but frankly I had zero understanding or appreciation for the game back when.
I think what I’m saying is I’m old.

 

[moogoo]

had a poster of him doing a bicycle kick on my wall as a kid. never saw him live or even on TV live.. only old videos, but i understood what he meant to the game and its growth in the US. his choosing to come play here was huge in popularizing soccer and it kept growing from there.

too soon! RIP

 

[JayH]

This is so sad. When I take my boys to NYCFC games, I frequently flashback to Cosmos games with my dad, watching Pele and all of our other favorites. Those were some of the highlights of my childhood, and we were completely in awe of Pele. I wore his jersey until it was in tatters and had his framed poster over my bed. What a life.

 

[Gotham Gator]

For those who can access, a terrific article about Pele’s years in the USA.

Fond memories of Pelé's time in the U.S. from those who knew him

Musician, summer camp leader and the man who brought soccer to the mainstream in the U.S. during the late 1970s and early '80s.

theathletic.com

 

[JayH]

For those who can access, a terrific article about Pele’s years in the USA.

Fond memories of Pelé's time in the U.S. from those who knew him

Musician, summer camp leader and the man who brought soccer to the mainstream in the U.S. during the late 1970s and early '80s.

theathletic.com

Really enjoyed reading this when it came out, but didn’t notice my friend in the picture until you posted this. I just made his day!

 

[mgarbowski]

Really enjoyed reading this when it came out, but didn’t notice my friend in the picture until you posted this. I just made his day!

My second (or third) hand Pele brush with greatness is that a high school classmate of mine is married to his daughter Kely.