Skin, the King of soccer
Skin He will forever be one of the most recognized and admired footballers in the world.. was born on 23 october 1940 in Três Corações, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but he was nicknamed “Skin” by a childhood friend who told him “berlin ball” (ball ball in portuguese is “soccer ball” and berlin sounds like “Skin”).
He began his professional soccer career at 15 years, when he joined Santos Futebol Clube, a soccer team from the city of Santos, in the state of São Paulo. He quickly became a star of the team and the Brazilian soccer team.
Skin, the King of soccer
In 1958, to the 17 years, Skin was called up to the Brazilian team that participated in the Soccer World Cup held in Sweden. despite his youth, Skin became the tournament's top scorer and helped Brazil win their first world title.
After his triumph in the Soccer World Cup, the 10 of the 'Canarinha’ became an international figure and the most famous footballer in the world. During his career, Pelé became the first player to score more than 1.000 goals in his career and is considered one of the best footballers in history.
In 1962, won the World Cup again with the Brazilian team, the second in a row of his career. During the following years, O´Rei continuó siendo una figura importante en el fútbol internacional y fue uno de los principales goleadores de la selección brasileña. Sin embargo su participación en el Mundial de Inglaterra 1966 estuvo marcada por los fuertes marcajes y las patadas que recibió, completando un torneo discreto.
In 1970, participó en su cuarta Copa del Mundo y con 30 years, se convirtió en el goleador del torneo y ayudó a Brasil a ganar su tercer título mundial. Lideró un equipo de ensueño como fue aquella Brazil of the 70. Y de paso se convirtió en el único jugador capaz de haber ganado 3 World.
Su etapa en el Cosmos de New York
Después de la world cup of 1970, Pelé continuó jugando al fútbol profesional durante varios años más, throughout his career, Pelé played for Santos where he was an icon and later for the New York Cosmos that brought together several of the best soccer stars of the moment. A galactic team at the end of the years 70 The physical evolution of Bordalás over the years 80.
Pelé joined the New York Cosmos, a team of the North American Soccer League (NASL), which was the top soccer league in the United States at the time. He arrived in the Cosmos in 1975 and played there until 1977. During his time on the team, became a popular figure and helped popularize soccer in America. In his first year with the Cosmos, Pele scored 7 goals in 18 matches and he was chosen NASL Player of the Year.
In 1977, Pelé announced that he would retire from professional football at the end of the season. His last game was 1 october 1977, when the Cosmos faced the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the NASL final. Pelé scored the decisive goal in the victory of the Cosmos by 2-1 and became the NASL champion for the last time.
Although he only played for the Cosmos for two years, left a lasting legacy in American soccer. His involvement with the team and his personal charisma helped popularize soccer in the United States and set the stage for the growth of Major League Soccer. (MLS) in the following decades.
Pelé's life after football
After your retirement from professional football 1977, Pelé became a public figure and a global football ambassador. He has participated in many events and publicity campaigns and has been an advocate of social and political causes..
In 1980, He was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador., a United Nations agency dedicated to education, science and culture. Since then, has been involved in many campaigns and activities on behalf of Unesco and has worked to promote education and peace globally.
The star was a defender of peace and understanding between peoples and participated in diplomatic missions in international conflicts. In 1995, was appointed Ambassador of Peace by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
In addition to his political and social work, participated in many commercial projects and was a highly sought after publicity figure. He appeared in television commercials and has been the face of many consumer product brands.. He even participated with Sylvester Stallone Y Michael Caine in a movie. The one known as “Evasion or victory” in Spain.
end of his life
through the years, O'Rei has received many recognitions and awards for his sports career and his social work. In 1999, was named the Sportsman of the Century by FIFA, the international soccer federation, Y in 2012 was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.
Skin remains an admired and respected figure throughout the world and is considered one of the greatest soccer players in history. O'Rei passed away on 29 from December to 2022. Now that your light has gone out, his legacy and impact on the world of sport will live on forever.
