Pele on end of life care

Sheriff_John_Bunnell_ret said:
The Brazilians are said to favour garrincha, but that could just be them being obtuse and not wanting to favour the obvious.
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I don’t think this is true as Pele is simply known in Brazil as O Rei ( the king) so he is worshipped like a god.

However there is a feeling that for individual skill Garrincha ( little bird) was arguably the better player technically.

As a result of polio his legs were deformed He was born with his right leg 6 centimetres shorter than his left, also his left leg turned outwards and his right turned inwards, leading one doctor to certify him as crippled as a child. A truly remarkable feat.

As a result he had a unique gait combined with his quick feet he was simply mesmerising on the ball and it’s true that as a kid he was prob seen as the one most would have thought would have gone on to greatness.

Sadly though for Garrincha his story didn’t have a happy ending and was more of tragedy than triumph and his end was equally as tragic dieing in poverty of drink induced coma at the age of 49.

But during his 50 caps his talent was incredible but it’s sad that his record has largely been overshadowed by his peles greatness.

Garrincha played a vital role in Brazil's 1958and 1962 World Cup victories. In 1962, when Pelé got injured, Garrincha led Brazil to a World Cup victory with a dominating performance throughout the tournament. He also became the first player to win Golden Ball (Player of the tournament), Golden Boot (Leading Goalscorer) and the World Cup in the same tournament. He was also named in the World Cup All-Star Teams of both 1958 World Cupand 1962 World Cup.
 
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..... come on guys ..... whichever way you cut it, one of the greatest footballers whoever lived is probably going to die in the next few days.

I do have some connection with Brasil. Talking to people today, this is a moment of great sadness there - the myth of the #10 shirt began with him.

For sure, Brasilian and other leagues there have now been hollowed out. But this wasn't always the case. For what's it worth, there was the Intercontinental Cup (played between the European Cup holders and the Copa Libertadores winners) in the 60s and 70s. My memory is that it was competitive and the looks like about 50:50 winners between Europe and South America in that era. Santos won it twice in the early 60s, with Pele. Inter Milan won it twice around that time.
 
RoaryTheLion said:
What about the other 96 hat tricks?
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Your first point on this thread was that he couldn't be compared with Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo because he didn't play in Europe but his world cup record alone disproves that. Youngest world cup goal, youngest hattrick, youngest winner, three winners medals.
And let's not forget that he was brutally hacked out of the English world cup.
 
BlindBoyGrunt said:
Your first point on this thread was that he couldn't be compared with Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo because he didn't play in Europe but his world cup record alone disproves that. Youngest world cup goal, youngest hattrick, youngest winner, three winners medals.
And let's not forget that he was brutally hacked out of the English world cup.
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I said that for me, the lack of European success puts him behind Maradona. Again in my opinion, Messi is just much better than anyone from a bygone era. I didn’t mention Ronaldo but don’t let that stop you having a pop.
 
RoaryTheLion said:
I said that for me, the lack of European success puts him behind Maradona. Again in my opinion, Messi is just much better than anyone from a bygone era. I didn’t mention Ronaldo but don’t let that stop you having a pop.
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Not having a pop, just pointing out his remarkable international record.
 
RoaryTheLion said:
No doubt he was a major player in a superb era for Brazilian football. Like others have said, he played with some incredible players like Garrincha, Jarzinho etc
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That's true, but you are comparing his achievements with Messi's European club record. He was playing with some pretty good players too. Unlike Maradona, he didn't do it almost single handed at club and international level.
 
Laughing said:
Whilst that seems reasonable on the face of it. In any era there are hundreds of top level players and across that broad spectrum the overall quality will remain pretty constant, training, diet and sports science aside. If you accept that, then Pele was much better amongst his peers than anyone who came later. Ergo he is the best ever.
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In your opinion. Which is fine.

Others including people far more knowledgeable on the game than me, and dare I say you, have different views. Some have the same. That's the point.
 
Just been talking to an old Brasilian guy I know. He is currently in Qatar. He has been at every World Cup since 1950. Obviously biased, but he said to me that it was the (football) privilege of his life to have seen Pele play in Mexico in 1970.

I trust his judgement. He once told me about Neymar, "Você não pode jogar futebol na sua bunda." (You can't play football on your ****). :)
 
Terribly sad news. A wonderful player and ambassador. A colossos of the game. A world superstar of football and like Mohammed Ali one of the great world figures of 20th century.
The 1970 World Cup final victory of Pele's Brazil was my earliest clear football memory. The final performance was sensational with Pele the conductor in chief. Jack Charlton always regarded it as one of the greatest ever performances and Pele the genius no.10.

Very sad times.
 
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