Pelé was a Brazilian footballer who primarily played as a forward. He was one of the most successful and popular sports stars of the twentieth century, regarded as one of the best players of all time, and dubbed “the greatest” by FIFA.
The International Olympic Committee honored him as Athlete of the Century in 1999, and he was designated one of Time’s 100 most influential individuals of the twentieth century.
Pelé was named World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in 2000 and was one of two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games (including friendly) is a Guinness World Record.
Pelé was called up to the national squad in early 1969 and initially declined, but later accepted and played in six World Cup qualification matches, scoring six goals. Pelé was supposed to retire after the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Brazil’s squad for the event featured significant changes from the 1966 squad. Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Valdir Pereira, Djalma Santos, and Gilmar were among the players who had previously retired.
However, the 1970 World Cup squad from Brazil, which included players such as Pelé, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Gérson, Carlos Alberto Torres, Tosto, and Clodoaldo, is often regarded as the best football team in history.
Zoca’s cause of death: What happened to Pele’s brother?
Pelé’s brother, Zoca, has died following a battle with prostate cancer, according to the Brazilian soccer club Santos. He was 77.
Jair Arantes do Nascimento, “Zoca, brother of our King,” died Wednesday night, Santos revealed on social media.
The funeral was scheduled for Thursday. Pelé is not scheduled to attend because he is under self-isolation due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to his spokesman, Pepito Fornos.
Zoca, like Pelé, played for Santos but never achieved the success of his brother, one of the sport’s all-time greats.
