Pelé brought magic to football and made people dream big
Before Pelé, ’10′ was just a number,” Neymar had written, following the phenomenal footballer’s death on Thursday.
Even people who don’t know football know Pelé!
Pelé transformed how the world saw football- turning it into a beautiful art. He gave voice to the Black, the poor and he made Brazil known to the world.
He was known to the world as a legend in football, but he was also a legendary human being who left us with a great legacy of kind acts.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do”
Those lines speak true of who he was. Pelé grew up in poverty. He worked in a tea shop to earn money.
His family couldn’t afford to get him a football, so he’d stuff socks with newspaper or use a grapefruit to play football. With the help of his father, he worked hard at the sport.
Pelé joined Santos in 1957 when he was 16! In 1958, he played the FIFA World Cup, the youngest player to do so.
He had as good a heart as he had football moves. The hardships he faced shaped him into the humanitarian he was, and he had an affinity for charity work
In 1992, the UN appointed him as an ambassador for ecology and environment.
In 1994 Pelé was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. A UNESCO ambassador uses their position to promote the UNESCO ideals to the world. He raised awareness around world peace and security, mobilizing support using his role.
For his incredible humanitarian work around the world, UNESCO awarded Pelé with the ‘Children in Need’ Award in 2012.
Pelé has worked for children’s causes through the United Nations Children Funds, also known as, UNICEF. UNICEF works towards improving children’s lives by providing the much-needed basic health care, clean water, and education.
He even won the International Peace Award for his contributions.
The Pelé Foundation: When first announcing the launch of his foundation Pelé said,
“The Pelé Foundation, a new charitable endeavor will benefit organizations around the world and their dedicated efforts to empower children, specifically around poverty and education.”
The ABC Trust ‘Action for Brazil’s Children: is a UK based charity that is dedicated to helping street children and vulnerable groups of Brazil. He has been a patron of the ABC Trust made significant contributions. The ABC Trust raises funds and awareness to support local communities. The underprivileged children of Brazil get all the support and inspiration they need to thrive and build their own lives.
“Pelé was truly a remarkable figure — on and off the field,” said FIFA Council member Sunil Gulati, a former U.S. Soccer Federation president. “The world has lost a once in a lifetime sportsman who leaves an extraordinary legacy.”
And we couldn’t agree more.
An amazing humanitarian who raised his voice to improve the quality of life of people, so they wouldn’t have to face what he did, Pelé is a name that will stay alive not just in the football world, but beyond as well.
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