Despite the glory that comes from being considered a god or a hero, it takes incredible personal strength to endure, especially with virtue and grace, the type of pressure and sense of responsibility that accompanies such a bright spotlight. There are few people who have attained Pelé’s ubiquitous fame, and even fewer who have not cracked as a result. He used his iconic status for the good of those around him. Much like his representation of Brazil on the world stage, Pelé was a symbol for causes that ran deeper than the sport he played. “He is one of the few human beings who have become more influential, more popular, more famous and more legendary after their glory days than during them.”[1] He is a hero in every sense of the word: for what he represents and what he has done, but maybe more so because he would not let hubris get the better of him. Although one cannot forget that he is human and has made mistakes, as a public figure he seems to have no downfall probably due to his most admirable characteristic, humility. The difference between him and the rest of the world is that while everyone sees him, ‘The King’, as god, he only believes in another God, the one who gave him life.[2] In his book, Soccer in Sun and Shadow, Eduardo Galeano beautifully captures the essence of Pelé’s status: “those of us who were lucky enough to see him play received alms of an extraordinary beauty: moments so worthy of immortality that they make us believe immortality exists.”[3] His impact will certainly be talked about for decades to come.
[1] Harris. Pele. 227.
[2] Harris. Pele. 229.
[3] Galeano, Eduardo H. Soccer in sun and shadow. London: Verso, 1998. Print. 133.
Pele no goat Messi goat
This place is lit. I enjoyed reading this very informational text. Thank You