Soccer great Pele has died
He was the best I've seen in my lifetime. Godspeed Pele, may you rest in piece.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, winner of record 3 World Cups and standard-bearer for ‘the beautiful game,’ has died at 82. pic.twitter.com/0ymLKqBHks
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 29, 2022
December 29th, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
The world lost a sports legend today. Thoughts and prayers to his family and the country of Brazil during this time.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
IMHO, Pele was one of the four most influential athletes of the 20th century (along with Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.) Not trying to start an argument or a debate, just recognizing Pele for the tremendous figure he was. RIP, Great One.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
My boyhood sports idol and will always be, to me, the greatest footballer ever. And he was an enormous ambassador for the beautiful game whose closing message at his retirement (the Cosmos/Santos game) was “love”. RIP
December 29th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
Was/is Tiger Woods as big a global icon as the other three? I'm not sure.
December 29th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^
Sure, he was a huge deal in this country, at least for a while.
But globally? The other three became household names everywhere on the planet. I don't know if that's true for Woods.
December 29th, 2022 at 4:49 PM ^
Jm, IMHO - It’s Pele then Ali…. Anyone else is noticeably further down the list…
December 29th, 2022 at 6:13 PM ^
I agree but I'll add Sweet Lou Whittaker at #5, dude was #1 in my heart growing up! Jokes aside RIP to the greatest to lace em up!
December 29th, 2022 at 3:47 PM ^
Pele, set the standard for soccer greatness. All soccer stars current, past and future will always be measured to Pele.
December 29th, 2022 at 3:56 PM ^
Was and still is the GOAT.
Here is a great highlight compilation. You have to love all the nutmegs.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:04 PM ^
Not only an amazing player, but a great ambassador for sports.. worldwide.
I would argue he’s the best known athlete globally - and, gave immense pleasure to fans of the game across the globe.
May he Rest In Peace and his family find comfort in the joy he provided throughout his life.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:04 PM ^
Forever the God of Soccer. Watch the documentary "Once in a Lifetime" about he NASL and how it blew up in New York with Pele and the Cosmos.
Never got to see him play but my favorite memory might be from my favorite soccer movie of all time, Victory... that bicycle kick at the end:
Probably the most absurd plot in sports movie history but so, so rewatchable.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^
Shit, dude, even the Nazis had to applaud that bicycle kick. Well, one of them did, at least.
December 29th, 2022 at 3:20 PM ^
I can't believe they came back out for the 2nd half. They were supposed to escape at halftime!! How will they ever pull it off now? Thankfully Rocky is in goal.
December 29th, 2022 at 4:10 PM ^
Victory rules.
December 29th, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
That’s a pretty bad made up game clearly with non players. Watch his real highlights and be amazed
December 29th, 2022 at 2:08 PM ^
RIP
absolute legend
December 29th, 2022 at 2:14 PM ^
As an aside, whenever someone discusses the “GOAT” for soccer, the player they always compare to is.. Pele. Whether it’s Messi, Ronaldo, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, etc. - they always compare to Pele.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:14 PM ^
RIP GOAT
December 29th, 2022 at 2:17 PM ^
RIP Pelé - not only a soccer legend but responsible for increased soccer interest in the U.S.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
An athlete of Olympian skill, achievement, and importance. A legend so renowned that the utterance of the name Pele brought instant recognition.
Rest in Peace, Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
A great athlete, but even better person from what I've read. Rest easy King
December 29th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
I never saw him play, but I remember playing the "Pelé's Soccer" Atari video game. In the era before MLS and the '94 World Cup, he was the one soccer player anyone had heard of. Over time I came to learn what a legend he was. World Cup champion at 17, wow. RIP.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^
There was none better. He was like Peter Pan, just a pure expression of joy on the pitch.
December 29th, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^
I've always felt very fortunate that in my personal professional life, I've met and spoken with many famous people. Pelé is one of them. This is very sad news.
During my brief career in sports journalism, I had press credentials from the North American Soccer League for New York Cosmos soccer matches at the old Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. In the Cosmos locker room after a game in 1977, I noticed that Pelé had a special visitor, Mick Jagger. LINK
There've been many soccer superstars who've come along since Pelé ended his playing career, but few of them probably could say that several decades after they'd last played, they'd still be one of the most famous people in the world.
December 29th, 2022 at 4:15 PM ^
Whoa, that's incredible. So you were also in the same building as Mick Jagger at the same time? That's amazing too.
There was a really cool movie about the Cosmos/NASL called "Once In a Lifetime" (produced in part by Michael Davies) years ago. Probably hard to find now but worth checking out.
December 29th, 2022 at 8:12 PM ^
On November 29, 1969, I also was "in the same building as Mick Jagger at the same time" when the Rolling Stones performed in the old Boston Garden during their "Let It Bleed" Tour. B. B. King opened for the Stones that night. Unfortunately, I wasn't smart enough to save my ticket stub. LINK TO ROLLING STONES SETLIST
I've seen Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos when it was available for free, but now it's available to stream only at a cost, except here.
December 29th, 2022 at 3:55 PM ^
Like Tiger and MJ, a name that transcends borders throughout the whole world. May not have been a more universally loved athlete.
December 29th, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^
RIP to a legend
December 29th, 2022 at 7:04 PM ^
Pele the Master and his Method 70s documentary is a cool free hour watch (youtube) if you haven't seen it. Magnificent athlete and ambassador of good will. Ultra rare transcendent GOAT figure for all athletes and fans, RIP to the timeless one
December 29th, 2022 at 7:10 PM ^
The only 3x World Cup winner. Simply iconic
December 30th, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
I'm glad he got to see the last World Cup, specifically that great final match.
RIP to an absolute legend. Without him I don't think soccer ever becomes nearly as popular popular here in America as it is today.