By Perla Gutierrez, Staff Writer | January 20, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Associated Images
December 29, 2022 was a sad day for the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento (aka Pelé) and his many fans from across the globe. It was announced that he died at the age of 82 on that Thursday as a result of multiple organ failures due to colon cancer that he battled since September of 2021.
It was only at the young age of 15 that he first signed with a team, the Santos, in 1956 and played professional soccer. Though for most, it was during the 1958 world cup that he really made his debut as he helped lead his team to win the first world cup trophy for Brazil.
“[He made a] tremendous impact globally [...] for his skill set, for his harmonious nature, and expanding the fervor of South American soccer,” commented ROTC instructor and avid soccer fan Master Gunnery Sergeant Moniz of Carson High School.
As Pelé continued his career, he showed that he had more to offer by winning 2 more world cups in 1962 and 1970. By the end of his soccer career in 1977, Pelé had a whopping record of 757 official goals in 831 games and over 1000 goals scored for his original team, the Santos.
At his funeral, at Santos' Memorial Cemetery in Brazil on January 3, 2032, many were able to gather and say their final goodbyes. It was during this time of mourning that people recalled their favorite Pelé memories.
“My favorite moment [was] when they put a Salvadoran hat on top of his head after winning a world cup [...] I thought it was pretty cool because it was like he was showing different cultures,” commented CHS freshman Marco Cruz Jimenez.
So, while Pelé might be gone now, he will continue to live on in the memories and aspirations of many who admire him.
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