by Basit Jamiu
The Brazilian legend is a name that has shaped the longevity of greatness for a century and it may continue in many centuries to come.
Not surprisingly, he was named the player of the century for the things he had done for both the national team and club.
At the age of 17, Pelé was already well known for scoring in the World Cup final. His ability to effortlessly put balls in the back of the net has been hailed by all nationalities and race.
Pele’s ingenuity has covered his blackness, a man so black in colour it is almost unbelievable how much love he received at the time he played.
The great Brazilian played in an era when blacks were fighting to be seen, to be accepted in society. A time when black people strongly aspired to be granted the respect and dignity worthy of a human being.
In the 1950s, blacks were lynched around the world, racism was at its peak, and slavery was still practiced secretly in the outskirts of west.
To put Pelé’s greatness in the historical context, he was loved beyond color and what it must have meant is that he did the unthinkable.
He was a black man who played for Brazil, who gave everything on the field to the excitement of the fans. A man so magical, he won the coveted World cup thrice.
“I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment,” Neymar, the Brazilian striker, wrote after the news of his death was announced.
Many great names in football such as Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo also shed their hearts after the news of his death on Thursday at the age of 82.
Pele: The Gift of Football
It is a gift to football that Pele lived to participate in it. And it is a gift to Pele that a sport as beautiful as football was able to embrace his rare magic beyond the colour of his skin.
What a life he had lived, what a wonderful era, and what a time to finally close the chapter of a fulfilling life.
