Kate Middleton and Prince William Post Tribute to Pelé: ‘A True Football Icon’
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Prince William Kate Middleton are remembering Brazilian soccer legend PeléShe was 82 when she died on Thursday.
The Princess and Prince of Wales, both 40 years old, reposted Team England’s tribute on their official social networks pages. The three-time World Cup champion died in São Paulo after a progression of colon cancer, The New York Times reported.
“Paying tribute a true soccer icon. Rest in peace, Pelé,” the retweet read, captioning a picture of Wembley Stadium’s tribute to the late soccer star. The arch of the iconic London venue was lit up in yellow and green — the colors of the Brazilian flag and the national team’s uniforms — while Pelé’s name, years of birth and death, and photo flashed on TV screens.
Prince William is a passionate soccer fan. He serves as the President of Football Association of England. His grandmother is a close family member. Queen Elizabeth II had the honor of presenting Pelé and the Santos team with the trophy at Maracanã Stadium in Rio De Janeiro in 1968. In the image, Pelé triumphantly lifts the cup over his head, while the Queen (then 42) and Prince Philip smile beside him.
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Pelé — who was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on Oct. 23, 1940, in the small city of Tres Coracoes — is widely considered to be one of the greatest soccer players ever to grace the sport.
He played for the Brazilian national team and Santos Brazil for almost 20 years. He became the game’s most prolific scorer. His success earned him the nickname “The King,” and made the image of his trademark celebratory leap — his fist propelled over his head — instantly burned into the minds of soccer fans globally.
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The name Pelé came to him at a young age, he told The Guardian in 2006, after he mispronounced BiléHe is the nickname of a goalie for his father’s team.
Two years after joining the New York Cosmos of North American Soccer League, he retired from soccer. It was a special final exhibition between Santos and the Cosmos, which was in front of 77,000 New Jersey soccer fans.
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To honor his long career, Pelé played half the game with each club.
Pelé is survived by six of his seven children Marcia Cibele Aoki is his wife.