A VIDEO clip of the late, great Pele being kicked from pillar to post has been posted to prove the icon did not receive an easy ride during his heyday.
The world of football is in mourning after it was announced yesterday that the Brazilian legend had passed away aged 82 in his homeland.
Pele had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon but stopped responding to care.
It has now been confirmed that the greatest player in history has sadly passed away due to multiple organ failure as a result of his cancer.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
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He also scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
His feats on the pitch made many regard him as the greatest player of all-time – but his achievements were made all the more remarkable considering the rough treatment he had to survive.
While many videos have been shared of some of his most celebrated moments, another has now also been posted showing a montage of the hefty challenges he was forced to ensure as defenders tried in vain to stop him.
As captioned along with the footage, it comes in response to the argument that “In Pele’s time it was easier to play”.
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However, this proves that it is just a myth and that the late superstar did not enjoy the same protection as today’s modern day players.
Pele is shown being scythed down from behind, chopped down on the touchline and basically assaulted with elbows and kicks while representing both Santos and Brazil.
Despite the rough treatment, it failed to stop the South American from going on to achieve GOAT status despite it often not being such a beautiful game.
Pele made his debut for his local team Santos aged just 15 and won his first cap for the Brazil national team at 16.
He won the World Cup in 1958 aged just 17, and then won it again in 1962 and 1970.
The South American superstar racked up 643 goals in 659 appearances for club side Santos across his 18-year spell.
He also played for the New York Cosmos and retired in 1977, in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos.
Brazil’s current golden boy Neymar led the tributes to Pele following his passing and was quickly followed by the two current players that have been trying to claim GOAT status for themselves.
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The Paris Saint-Germain star wrote: “Before Pele, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life.
“But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say before Pele football was just a sport. Pele has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment.
“He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pele is FOREVER!!”
Cristiano Ronaldo put on social media: “My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever. The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers. Rest in peace King Pele.”
Lionel Messi’s post was short but sweet, reading: “Rest in peace Pele.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
