NFL
By: Jon Blayne
You hear sports fans always through the name of G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time). In the world of the NFL, that goes to Tom Brady. In the world of the NBA, that goes to Michael Jordan. The list goes on with every sport having someone who was at the top of the sport. In the world of soccer, the GOAT would go to Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Fans know him as Pelé. Unfortunately, it was reported through several outlets that Pele passed away at the age of 82. He is someone who played both in the states for the New York Cosmos and his home of Brazil where he suited up for Santos.
He began playing for Santos at the age of 15. He would join the Brazilian national team at the age of 16 and would become a vocal point for them in the ’60s and ’70s. While he was playing for the Brazilian team, he would lead them to three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He is the only player to accomplish this. He also owns the most goals for the Brazilian national team with 77 goals in 92 games. He would average 1.19 goals per game. He is credited with the phrase “The Beautiful Game”. It is also worth noting that while Pele was playing for Brazil, he was the highest-paid player in soccer. He would also be the most popular player in his era.
Due to this popularity, Brazil would go on tours around the world to bank on Pelé popularity. While he did play for Brazil from 1957 to 1971, he did play for teams in the states. As it was mentioned before, he did play for Santos from 1956-1974. In 410 appearances, he would score 468 goals. In that run, he only had four times where he would score less than ten goals in a season. These lower seasons would happen towards the end of his time with the club in 1970 (7), 1971 (6), 1972 (9), and 1974 where he only scored once. It’s worth noting he did sustain some big injuries during those seasons, and many thought he would end up hanging up the cleats early.
Since he still had a little left in the tank, he decided to then join the New York Cosmos from 1975-1977. Despite soccer not being that big in the New York area, when the Cosmos were around the first time they were seen as sports gods. You had a very loaded team with a lot of big names like Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, and Shep Messing to name a few. They played a lot of games at both Yankee Stadium and later on at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Those games would be a constant sell-out.
After he wrapped up playing with the Cosmos, he would become an ambassador for the sport and would still make appearances. It’s worth noting that his health has gone downhill in the weeks prior to his passing. I can make a strong bet that people who don’t watch soccer, will know who Pelé is.
We here at NBS Media send our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of the legendary soccer player.
