Brazilian soccer legend Pele has died at the age of 82 following a battle with colon cancer.
The larger-than-life superstar was one of the most decorated athletes in history, creating worldwide interest in his sport.
At the age of 15 in 1956, Pele tried out for the Santos FC professional soccer club near Sao Paulo. The talented prodigy signed with the team that year and made his professional debut that fall. He was instantly hailed as a star by the media and led the league in scoring as a 16-year-old.
In 1958, he attained iconic status, joining the Brazilian national team for the 1958 World Cup.
He dominated his sport throughout the 1960s and led Brazil to World Cup titles in 1962 and 1970. To put into perspective just how important soccer is in Brazil, in 1950, the World Cup was held in Rio de Janeiro. The host country was a favorite but was upset by Uruguay. At the end of the game, one fan committed suicide, and three others suffered fatal heart attacks.
In 1975, he helped spark interest in “the Beautiful Game,” — which was a phrase he made famous for soccer because of his unique style and grace on the pitch.
Pele created a frenzy in the United States when he signed with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. He single-handedly helped his team set attendance records, and soccer became a relevant sport in the United States because of him. He played three seasons in New York and won the Soccer Bowl championship in 1977.
Quite simply, he was the Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth of Soccer.
Because his family was so poor as a child and couldn’t afford a soccer ball, Pele learned to play in the streets using grapefruits or cloth stuffed with newspapers and bound with string.
Late in life, Pele was involved in several controversies and scandals, including one centered around the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but nothing can diminish his significance to the sport he helped grow.
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