Pele's Golden Rays Since The 1958 Sweden World Cup

Pele's performance with Brazil (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - On 29 June 1958, Brazil won their first World Cup title after defeating the hosts, Sweden with a final score of 5-2. In that tournament, the world highlighted one name in the list of Brazilian players. Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele.

Brazil is a true champion because it doesn't just lift the trophy. Throughout the tournament, Brazil was the most celebrated team with a spectacular beautiful game. And Pele's appearance was the most surprising because he was still a teenager at that time.

Launching History, Monday, June 29, footballer blood has flowed in Pele. He is the son of a professional footballer named Dodhino. Pele's real name, Edson, was inspired by the famous inventor, Thomas Edison. If name is a prayer, that wish seems fulfilled. Pele was also an inventor in his field. Authentic beautiful play is like an incomparable discovery.

However, the mother didn't really like Pele's choice at first. The mother really understands how difficult it is for her husband to get money from football. However, Pele's path as a footballer was blessed by the universe. Pelé was adept at playing with round leather from a young age. At the age of 14, his talent was caught by de Brito, a former member of the Brazilian team, who became the youngest goalscorer at that time.

Pelé won his first trophy with the national team at the age of 16. After that trophy, at the age of 17, the 1958 World Cup in Sweden became Pele's debut with Brazil's senior national team. Debut with sweet fruit. In that tournament, Pele was not immediately played. He only became a bench heater until the third group match against the Soviet Union.

In the quarter-final against Wales, Pele scored his first goal in the tournament. Pele's goal was the only number for Brazil, a number that took the Selecao through to the next round. In the semifinals, Pele again showed his skill in front of the French players.

Pele completely controlled the left side of the field. From that side he also scored three goals. In the final, Pele shone with Vava. Both of them scored two goals in the final round.

After Brazil received the Jules Rimet Cup as the best team in the world, the whole team sank into tears. Brazil then won the World Cup again in 1962 and 1970, which saw Brazil continue to hold the Jules Rimet Cup and become the first country to win three World Cups.

Pele's performance with Brazil (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Become the target of an attack

These achievements are not without obstacles. At the 1962 World Cup, Pele led Brazil to defend the World Cup with an injury in the early stages, which meant he missed because of the knockout stages.

Then, at the 1966 World Cup, Brazil became the favorite team, and Pele was the most famous and highly ranked player in the world. However, Pele's dexterity actually made him the target of several vicious attacks by Bulgarian and Hungarian players.

In the match against Portugal, Pele spent the rest of the match limping because at that time it was forbidden to make substitutions. It was even worse for the Brazilian side because the Portuguese player João Morais, who played brutally, was not sent off.

Without Pele who is one hundred percent, Brazil was eliminated in the group stage. Pele was so disillusioned by the foul play that he vowed never to play in the World Cup again. The 1966 World Cup was won by England.

After retiring, Pele became an ambassador for football and sport. In 1992, Pele was appointed United Nations Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment. He was also appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Pelé became not only one of the most talented footballers of his generation, but also a well-mannered man who used his fame and prestige to positive effects. In 1999, the International Olympic Committee paid tribute to Pele and ten other players as one of the best athletes of the century.