Brazilian football legend Pele will be honored with a commemorative day named “King Pele Day,” as reported in Tuesday’s edition of the government gazette.
Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 goals throughout his illustrious career.
“King Pele Day” will be celebrated on November 19, the date when Pele scored his 1,000th goal in a match for his boyhood club Santos at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium in 1969. His goal, a penalty, secured a 2-1 victory against Vasco da Gama, and the match was briefly halted as fans stormed the pitch to celebrate the historic moment.
Pele dedicated his landmark goal to the “poor children of Brazil.” The following year, he claimed his third World Cup as part of the legendary 1970 Brazil team.
Pele passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82. His death prompted a period of national mourning and tributes from around the world.
The law establishing the commemorative date was enacted by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
