Tributes Pour In as Brazil Readies for Pelé’s Funeral

“I had the privilege that the younger Brazilians did not have: I saw Pelé play live at Pacaembu and Morumbi,” Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s incoming president, said, referring to two stadiums in São Paulo. “Not merely play. I saw Pelé presenting a master class. When he got the ball, he always did something special, often ending in a goal. I confess I had a lot of anger issues regarding Pelé, because he always slaughtered my Corinthians. But first of all, I admired him. And the anger soon gave way to passion of watching him play with the 10 jersey of the Brazilian national team.”

“Pelé changed everything,” said Neymar, the Brazilian superstar. “He turned football into art, into entertainment, he gave a voice to the poor, to Black people and, above all, he gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil raised their status, thanks to the king. He is gone, but his magic will remain. Pelé is eternal.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/30/sports/soccer/pele-funeral-reaction.html