Written by: Ray Lamar Inspired by: Artist Bill Rembert
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele to huge soccer fans and many natives of Brazil. Pele is viewed as more than an athlete to Brazilians, the word hero doesn’t even sum his influence up. It has been said that people in Brazil refer to him as O Rei, The King. He is honored in many ways in Brazil through artwork, life-size cutouts, and pelebol a board game. These pieces can be found in the Afro-Brazilian Museum in San Paulo. He is an outspoken supporter of policies that improve the social conditions of the poor. Pele grew up in poverty, as his father João Ramos, better known as “Dondinho was a passionate soccer player that didn’t earn a living wage as an athlete. Pele’s humble beginnings started with learning to handle a sock filled with rags to emulate what he would execute on the soccer field.
As a footballer Pele average almost one goal per game during his career. Pele had a knack for guessing the movements of defenders and using his quickness and speed to be allusive. Passing, dribbling, reading the field and just being an all-around playmaker was what made him what many say, the most dominant soccer player of all times. The skills that Pele displayed was far beyond his time, the moves that you now see were all created by Pele. He was the Michael Jordan of soccer; he blazed the trail for modern soccer players to follow. His abilities on the field represented freedom and confidence. Video Clips of Pele are fun to watch, and you can only envision what people thought seeing him live 60 years ago about the innovative athlete that made history with his feet.
Editor’s Note: This article first published on February 1st, 2020.