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RIP, Pelé.
Soccer superstar, cultural icon
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé wasn’t just a great player, he remains the
face of a purity in soccer, writes Simon Chadwick
Pelé, soccer’s first global superstar, died at
the age of 82. To many fans, the Brazilian Early days at Santos
will be remembered as the best to have ever Pelé was born Edson Arantes do
played the game. Nascimento in Sao Paulo state, Brazil in
For others it goes further: He was the 1940. His early years were the same as
symbol of soccer played with passion, gusto many soccer players who preceded him
and a smile. Indeed, he helped to forge an and countless who then followed and
image of the game, which even today lots of were inspired by him: born into poverty,
people continue to crave. introduced to the game by a family
Pelé wasn’t just a great player and a member, later becoming obsessed by a
wonderful ambassador for the world’s sport that taught him about life and gave
favourite game; he was a cultural icon. him opportunities.
Indeed, he remains the face of a purity in Youth team football came first, in 1953,
soccer that existed long before big money when he signed for his local club, Bauru.
and global geopolitics infiltrated the game. But it was his first professional club,
It is testament to his legend that everyone Santos that propelled Pelé toward stardom.
from English 1966 World Cup winner, Having moved there in 1956, he played
Sir Bobby Charlton and current French 638 matches and scored 618 goals before
superstar Kylian Mbappé to Luiz Inácio leaving in 1974. Not just the beating heart
Lula da Silva – the former and incoming of the team, Pelé was also an immense, one-
president of Brazil – and former U.S. club loyalist.
President Barack Obama have led tributes Long before the feats of modern-day stars
to him. Cristiano Ronaldo or Erling Haaland, Pelé
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #43 | JANUARY 2023 35
