Friday, December 30, 2022

Football fans in mourning: Brazil loses football icon Pelé

Football fans in mourning: Brazil loses football icon Pelé Article by Euronews • 5 hrs ago Fans mourn the loss of football icon Pelé. Some gathered outside the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, where the Brazilian died on Thursday at the age of 82. Pelé, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time and is also the only player to have won three World Cups. When he traveled to other countries with his club Santos or with the national team, he was often received like a majesty, apt to his nickname "The King". He repeatedly rejected offers from European clubs. After the actual end of his career, he did another lucrative lap of honor in the USA with the Cosmos from New York. Even after hanging up his football boots, Pelé remained in the public eye. He emerged as a movie star and singer, and from 1995 to 1998 he was Brazil's sports minister. Pelé was repeatedly criticized Despite his heroic status, he was repeatedly criticized by some in Brazil. They accused him of not using his platform to draw attention to racism and other social problems in the country. Pelé was considered to be close to the government, even during the military regime from 1964 to 1985. Many Pelé supporters are in mourning: “For me, Brazil is losing part of its history, a legend. It's very sad," one fan describes his feelings: "First we lost the World Cup and now our king of football. But life goes on, there's nothing we can do about it, it's in God's hands.” For another fan, the legend lives on: "Football has to go on, it can't stop. His memory goes on. Pelé didn't die, Edson died. Pelé lives on, for us here, for everyone. He is still alive, he is eternal, he is immortal.” The last few years have been marked by illness Public appearances had become rare recently, and Pelé often used a walker or wheelchair. In his last years he struggled with health problems, including kidney problems and colon cancer. In September 2021, he underwent surgery for his cancer and then underwent chemotherapy in the hospital. From there, his daughter sent photos and sentimental messages.