The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization that defends the power of sport around the world, UNESCOtweeted that they were “deeply saddened” by his passing, and offered their condolences to the people of Brazil and the broader “football family”.
At the age of 17, Pelé won his first World Cup or soccer championship in 1958, going on to lift the championship trophy in the game twice more, in 1962 and 1970. He scored scored a world record 1,281 playing in 1,363 matches during his professional career, which began when he was just 15 years old.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in 1940, the football giant, nicknamed the “Black Pearl” and “The King”, retired from the game in 1977.
In 1999, Santos’ player and Brazil’s most revered star, was voted player of the century in a poll of previous Ballon d’Or winners – players who have won football awards globally every year for its outstanding performance that year.
Score for the United Nations
He has spent considerable time in retirement supporting the United Nations and its work, and as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEFand a UNESCO Sports Champion, since 1994.
He was also appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Important Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, one of the major global development and environment summits. first for a more sustainable future for all.
You can hear Pelé conducting a press conference ahead of the Earth Summit, from the United Nations audiovisual archive, this.
At the time, the Summit’s Secretary General, Maurice Strong, described him as not only the greatest footballer in the world, but also “a global man”, originating from Brazil.
“His commitment to people, to the planet, really makes him a true citizen of our earth,” he told reporters.
UNESCO said in its tweet that he has “worked tirelessly to promote sport as an instrument for peace. He will be remembered.”
In a tweet, the head of the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRFilippo Grandi, wrote that “we are all with the Brazilian people” tonight, “honoring a man who made millions of children across continents and generations dream.”
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) Goodwill Ambassador Pele (child) of Brazil, is greeted by children as he makes his way to the General Assembly Hall in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (June 1992)
