Pele: The football player who united a nation

 Dec 30, 2022, 11:41 PKT

Pele's fans are gathering at the Albert Einstein
in Hospital in Sao Paulo after hearing the news of his death. Many were wearing the number 10 shirts worn during the game.

A banner with the words 'Immortal Emperor Pale' is displayed outside the hospital.

It's a moment that Brazilians have been waiting for, but it's also painful for them. In recent weeks, Pele's daughter Kayla Nascimento took to Instagram to keep her father's fans updated on his condition. People followed their every post and story.

When the news of Pele's passing finally came, it was a big moment for people. The hospital released a statement confirming his death following multiple organ failure due to colon cancer, but it was more than just medical news, it also said the hospital Shares the grief of his family and the public at the loss of the 'Emperor of Football'.

It's a sign of how important he was to Brazilians, although Pele was certainly a football legend around the world, to the people here, he was so much more.

Brazil's newly elected president, Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, who is to be sworn in on Sunday, said he had the privilege of watching Pele play, adding that it was not just a 'game', it was a ' Show' was.

He said in a tweet: 'Although few Brazilians have made our country as bright as he did, a number 10 like him has never been made again.'

Yellow meant something to every Brazilian. Older generations remembered him as a sportsman,

The young Brazilian was heralded for his extraordinary talent but he united the people in this footballing nation.

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Pele: 'I promised my father to win the World Cup when I was nine years old, I got a gift from God at the age of 17'

The famous football players of the world, whom Brazil called 'national treasures', were banned them from going abroad.

His life has been much talked about by Brazilians in the past few weeks since his condition worsened. Even people who have no interest in football call him the king.

He was a footballer who lived exclusively in Brazil, playing for Santos for many years instead of playing for clubs abroad.

In fact, President Janie Quadro's even declared him a national treasure in 1961, which meant that for years he could not be 'exported' to play for clubs abroad. His heroic status and importance were a matter of national pride.

In a country where racism and classism still prevail, Pele was an incredible success story for a black footballer from a poor background.

He rarely spoke about racism, a stance for which he was sometimes criticized. But he always used the power of football to unite the country and provide opportunities for even the poorest Brazilians.

Paley was never interested in politics and many felt that this was his weak side despite having so much influence and of course the turbulent politics he lived through, including a dictatorship.

In a country where but one country was divided by politics, he transcended politics, gaining universal love and respect as the king of all Brazilians on and off the field.

One of the greatest footballers of all time is gone, but he will be remembered forever in Brazil.