The World Cup that Lionel Messi wandered a lifetime in search of, the World Cup that made Diego Maradona a hero, the title that Brazilian star Pele won three times. The cynics, however, say that he is getting the credit for winning the 62 World Cup without playing. The response should not take long. It is better to say that he was not allowed to play than to say that he did not play.
Instead of taking possession of the ball and playing small passes, the strategy of those days was to blow it straight to the opponent’s goal post. And the opponents were more interested in kicking the footballers’ ankles than the ball. And the weapon to stop Brazil is well known. He was fouled 42 times in one match against Uruguay in the Copa America.
The moments that Messi-Ronaldo-Neymar-Vinicius are enthralling today, Pele showed half a century ago. And the goals are spectacular! Right foot force is natural, left foot or worse? With a height of 5’8″ feet, he surpasses the tall footballers.
Pele’s heart beats 56/58 times per minute. Meaning, he was less tired than others. The legs were parallel, the ankle bones very strong. That’s why being only 5’8” inches did not hinder him from running fast. Legs also act as shock absorbers after high jumps or kicks.
After leaving the game, Pele said, ‘Many of my teammates can run well with the ball, can make good tackles. But, they all seem to not know how to receive the ball. Maybe they don’t have the eye to see that I have. It’s probably not even something to teach.’
The world must be seen through the eyes of the West. In whose eyes they are the best. At that time, even in a third world country like Brazil, the undisputed best claim to be born, has anyone but Pele been able to? yet?
The greatest of all time, 1283 goals, three World Cups, fame, respect, dignity – many words have become synonymous with Pele over time. Messi-Maradona has also been coined as an antonym. However, despite so many changes, that meaning has remained constant. He was able to say in an unequivocal voice, ‘Pel’s death is not’, his secret is also hidden there.