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Pelé (1940–2022) Tribute List

December 30, 2022
By Vocabulary.com (NY)Visual Thesaurus Moderator
Pelé – born Edson Arantes do Nascimento – was a world-renowned Brazilian soccer player, who became, in his time, the greatest and best-paid athlete in the world, and the only soccer player to win three World Cup championships. At retirement, he held several seemingly unbreakable records, leading FIFA to label Pelé "the greatest" and the IOC to name him Athlete of the Century. Pelé emerged as the first Black global sporting star in the 1958 World Cup, and at career's end (1975), he led the New York Cosmos to a championship and helped popularize the new U.S. soccer league. Pelé also became a Brazilian national hero and supported policies improving social conditions of the poor.
synonymous
For more than 60 years, the name Pelé has been synonymous with soccer. He played in four World Cups and is the only player in history to win three, but his legacy stretched far beyond his trophy haul and remarkable goal-scoring record.
– CNN
legacy
For more than 60 years, the name Pelé has been synonymous with soccer. He played in four World Cups and is the only player in history to win three, but his legacy stretched far beyond his trophy haul and remarkable goal-scoring record.
– CNN
virtuoso
Pelé, the Brazilian virtuoso whose captivating skill and athleticism ensured he was universally regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died at the age of 82.
– The Guardian
captivating
Pelé, the Brazilian virtuoso whose captivating skill and athleticism ensured he was universally regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died at the age of 82.
– The Guardian
genesis
The genesis of the nickname Pelé are unclear, even to the footballer. He once wrote in the British newspaper The Guardian that it likely started with school classmates teasing him for mangling the nickname of another player, Bilé. Whatever the origin, the moniker stuck.
– CNN
moniker
The genesis of the nickname Pelé are unclear, even to the footballer. He once wrote in the British newspaper The Guardian that it likely started with school classmates teasing him for mangling the nickname of another player, Bilé. Whatever the origin, the moniker stuck.
– CNN
penchant
Pelé’s electrifying play and penchant for spectacular goals made him a star around the world.
– Britannica
iconic
Overnight, Pelé's face shone on buildings across the South American nation and landmarks were lit up in his memory. Fans took to the streets dressed in his iconic number 10 shirt.
– BBC
innate
Pele possessed an innate sweetness that was evident whenever you were in his presence. "How are you, my friend?" was his go-to greeting, whether he was meeting you for the first time or running into you at an airport decades later.
– ESPN
fete
Though Pele was regularly feted by the high and mighty – from heads of church and state to corporate billionaires – he never lost his sense of boyish wonder. The key to his success and longevity, he maintained, was to "stay as a child who loves the game."
– ESPN
longevity
Though Pele was regularly feted by the high and mighty – from heads of church and state to corporate billionaires – he never lost his sense of boyish wonder. The key to his success and longevity, he maintained, was to "stay as a child who loves the game."
– ESPN
mesmerizing
His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionised the sport – a samba-like flair that personified his country's elegance on the field.
– ESPN
transfix
His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionised the sport – a samba-like flair that personified his country's elegance on the field.
– ESPN
linchpin
It was the 1970 World Cup triumph for which he will be best celebrated, the linchpin of a beguiling team that included Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivelino that swept through Mexico, his canary yellow No 10 shirt becoming an icon of the sport.
– The Guardian
beguiling
It was the 1970 World Cup triumph for which he will be best celebrated, the linchpin of a beguiling team that included Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivelino that swept through Mexico, his canary yellow No 10 shirt becoming an icon of the sport.
– The Guardian
amass
At the time of his retirement in 1977, Pelé had amassed a series of seemingly unbreakable records. He had racked up a total of 1,283 goals in 1,363 matches, making him the top scorer in Brazilian national team history and FIFA history.
– Football History
poverty
Retirement saw "O Rei" go on to campaign for a variety of causes, including poverty reduction, anti-corruption movements, and environmental protection. He also received an honorary knighthood, served as the Minister of Sport in Brazil, and assumed the role of a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador.
– Football History
honorary
Retirement saw "O Rei" go on to campaign for a variety of causes, including poverty reduction, anti-corruption movements, and environmental protection. He also received an honorary knighthood, served as the Minister of Sport in Brazil, and assumed the role of a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador.
– Football History

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