Why All Greatness in Soccer Is Measured Against Pelé’s
SlateIronically, for a man who stood alone at the pinnacle of his sport for so long, it feels difficult today to get a clear, unimpeded view of Pelé. Brazil’s first two goals, only one of which is included in this clip, both came from low crosses on the right which squeaked through the defenses and were nudged home by the forward Vavá. Pelé’s genius, and the desire to replicate that genius that spread around the world, transformed the sport into one of the planet’s most ubiquitous entertainments. A widespread sentiment in the hours after his death, shared by Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and countless others, was the catchphrase “Pelé did it first,” often accompanied by a video cut together last year showing a litany of past and modern stars performing moves followed by grainier video of Pelé doing the same move, often decades earlier. I know that Leônidas and Giuseppe Meazza and Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás were among the best players of their eras, but I know how Pelé was good, and that, as much as his extraordinary, incomparable skills, is what made him the game’s first true global superstar, the mold by which all others are measured.
History of this topic
Cristiano Ronaldo look away now! Thierry Henry pipped by a team-mate! And where does Lionel Messi rank among the greats? OLIVER HOLT's definitive 100 greatest footballers - so who comes out on top and
Daily Mail
Pelé went from poverty to football superstardom
Hindustan Times
Lionel Messi: The ‘greatest’ leaves PSG on low note
The Hindu
Football great Pele enters Portuguese dictionary as an adjective
The Hindu
As Pele is laid to rest, was he the GREATEST of all time? MailOnline readers have their say
Daily Mail
Perfect Pele tops my 'greatest ever' list - let us pray his passing puts to bed all the arguments
Daily Mail
‘Before Pele, 10 was just a number’
Live Mint
‘Greatest of all time': Pelé as described by his peers
Associated Press
The clips that shows why Pele was football's greatest of all time
Daily Mail
Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world
The Independent
Pelé set the standard for greatness in the land of his sport
Associated Press
Pelé set the standard for greatness in the land of his sport
The Independent
Nobody disputes Pelé’s greatness but goal count fuels debate
The Independent
Nobody disputes Pelé’s greatness but goal count fuels debate
Associated Press
'Greatest of all time': Pelé as described by his peers
The Hindu
'Greatest of all time': Pelé as described by his peers
The Independent
Who is the best footballer ever? Pele, Maradona, Messi or Ronaldo?
Daily Mail
Appreciation: Pelé was the greatest soccer player. Was that good or bad for Brazil and for soccer?
LA Times
Pelé congratulates Messi and Mbappé after World Cup final
Associated Press
Pele, Messi, Moore: Could this be the greatest all-time World Cup XI?
The Independent
Brazil legend Pele, 81, continues treatment for a colon tumour
Daily Mail)
Greatness Can Be Achieved if One Believes in Themselves: Lionel Messi after Breaking Pele's Record
News 18
Messi breaks Pele’s record with 644 goals for Barcelona
Al Jazeera
Pele pays rich tribute to Lionel Messi after Argentine breaks his record
India TV News
After Maradona's death, Sportsmail asks who is football's greatest player?
Daily Mail
Feuding no more, Pelé mourns friend, legend Diego Maradona
The IndependentApproaching 80, Pele gives thanks for his lucid mental state - Football News - Sportstar
The HinduWhy Pele's Milesimo - 1000th goal still matters, 50 years on
The Hindu)
Pele says Lionel Messi 'only has one skill', rates himself and Diego Maradona above Barcelona forward
Firstpost
Pele
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