Black Pearl of “o Jogo Bonito”

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, whole world known by Pelé,

was one of the most iconic soccer players in the history of the sport and sadly passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday

Pelé is considered one of the greatest football players of all times mainly because of the sheer number of goals he scored.

According to the IFFHS, Pelé is the most successful league goal-scorer in the world– he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, including unofficial friendlies and tour games. He is the only player ever to win the FIFA World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

But aside from that, he is also largely responsible for connecting the phrase ‘The Beautiful Game’ (o Jogo Bonito) with football. His playing style combined speed, creativity, and technical skill with physical power, stamina, and athleticism. His excellent technique, balance, flair, agility, and dribbling skills enabled him to beat opponents with the ball. In addition, he had a very good reading and understanding of the game, and was often able to improvise moves on the field, coming up with moments of genius from nowhere.

Because those who have his dribbling don’t have his athleticism, those who have his athleticism don’t have his skill, those who have his skill don’t have his finishing, those who have his finishing don’t have his vision. I can go on and on. Pele is the greatest because he is the most versatile player.

Pele in a 10 year period between 1957 and 1966 (aged 16 to 26) scored 532 goals and made 224 assists with a G+A/90 value of 1.83!!No other player has been this dominant in football history for a time period as long as a decade and the fact that Pele did it while playing in the best league of his time speaks volumes about his footballing skills