Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty; Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty
Prince WilliamandKate Middletonare remembering Brazilian soccer legendPelé, who died at 82 on Thursday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 40, reposted Team England’s tribute to the sports icon on their official social media pages. The three-time World Cup champion died in São Paulo after a progression of colon cancer,The New York Timesreported.
Prince William is a serious soccer fan and serves as President of the Football Association of England. In a family connection, his grandmotherQueen Elizabeth IIhad the honor of presenting Pelé and the Santos team with the trophy at Maracanã Stadium in Rio De Janeiro in 1968. In the image, Pelé triumphantly lifts the cup over his head, while the Queen (then 42) andPrince Philipsmile beside him.
Pelé — who was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on Oct. 23, 1940, in the small city of Tres Coracoes — is widely considered to be one of the greatest soccer players ever to grace the sport.
For nearly 20 years, he played for Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team, becoming the game’s most prolific scorer in the process. His success earned him the nickname “The King,” and made the image of his trademark celebratory leap — his fist propelled over his head — instantly burned into the minds of soccer fans globally.
Mirrorpix via Getty
The name Pelé came to him at a young age, he toldThe Guardianin 2006, afterhe mispronounced Bilé, the nickname of a goalie on his father’s team.
He retired from soccer on Oct. 1, 1977, nearly two years after he joined the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. His final exhibition, in front of a record 77,000 soccer fans in New Jersey, was particularly special because it was between the Cosmos and Santos.
Late soccer legend Pelé while playing for New York Cosmos in 1977.George Tiedemann /Sports Illustrated via Getty
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To honor his long career, Pelé played half the game with each club.
source: people.com
