The World Cup that made Pele "immortal"

Football legend Pele, who died on December 29, went down in history not only as an incredible striker but also as the only man to win the World Cup three times. FRANCE 24 takes a look back at the three World Cups that would result in Fifa naming Pele "the immortal".

PeleThe WC's undisputed ambassador, was conspicuously absent from this year's edition i Qatar. Despite his battle with cancer, the so-called "Soccer King" had. followed and commented last WC from his hospital bed in Sao Paolo. 11 days after Argentina's fantastic victory in the last matchthe legendary footballer passed away, leaving heartbroken fans behind.

The world will no longer be able to enjoy the 'King's' flamboyant performances and words of wisdom at the World Cup. His goalscoring talent -- 1281 goals in 1363 games according to far from official countoften inflated by Pele himself -- made him a star but his World Cup wins (1958, 1962 and 1970) made him a legend, partly because the event began to be televised for the first time.

>>In pictures: A look back at Pele's extraordinary career

1958: Coronation

In 1958, for the first time in its history, the World Cup was televised. This turned out to be a stroke of luck, as football fans around the world might otherwise have missed out on seeing the sensational 17-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento (aka Pele) play. Injured just before the tournament was held in Sweden, the teenager missed out for Santos FC Brazils first two games. Despite his young age, he was placed as a key forward in his country's lineup. He returned for the third game - and the rest is history.

He set a series of records and became the youngest player in a World Cup match and the tournament's youngest goalscorer, marking the only goal in the quarter-final match against Wales (1-0). He followed with a hat-trick against Fontaine and Kopa's France (5-2) in the semi-finals, then a brace in the final against Sweden (5-2), stunning with his technical prowess. He then became the youngest man ever to win World Cup.

He wept over the victory, his older teammates hoisted him in triumph, his tears reminding the world how young he was. His teammate Gilmar told him, "Cry, my boy. It will do you good."

Pele (centre) cries on the shoulder of Brazilian goalkeeper Gilmar after his team won the 1958 World Cup final, Brazil's first world title.

1962: A bittersweet victory

Four years later, that boy was already a star. Europe tried to persuade him to join their clubs, but he remained loyal to Santos FC before joining Brazil to defend their crown as world champions in Chile. Pele started well, scoring against Mexico (2-0), but was injured during a first round match against Czechoslovakia. 60 years before Neymar's ankle injury, Brazil was gripped by the story of Pele's injured thigh. He did not play another game and watched from the sidelines as the Selecao were crowned champions again, thanks to four goals from Garrincha, the other Brazilian hero of the 1960s. It was a bittersweet victory, and it made him the youngest player to win two World Cups.

Despite Pele being injured during the 1962 World Cup, Brazil still managed to be crowned champions at the end of the tournament.

1970: Revenge

Pele dreamed of a third title in a row in England, the birthplace of football, in the World Cup in 1966. But it was not to be. The king of football and his team were butchered by Bulgarian and Portuguese tackles under the merciless eyes of the referees. Pele was injured again and the Auriverdes were knocked out in the first round. Disgusted, the legend vowed never to wear the yellow jersey again. He kept his word for two years, until a new generation of talent emerged and his former teammate Zagallo took over the reins of the Selecao.

Animated by a spirit of revenge, Pele would go on to write the most beautiful page in his football history. He shone even brighter when the 1970 World Cup in Mexico was broadcast in color for the first time. An entire generation of soccer fans was blown away by images that showcased the King's virtuoso skills, his deadly Brazilian madness.

The tone was set from the start. Although Pele scored a goal in the opening match against Czechoslovakia (4-1), it was his incredible 50-meter lob over goalkeeper Viktor, which went just wide, that became the talk of the world. Such strokes of genius sometimes brought out the best in his opponents as well. For example, England's goalkeeper, Banks, made the "save of the century" in the next match, after a powerful header from the Brazilian star. Pele joked about the spectacular save for the rest of his life: "Today I scored a goal, but Banks stopped it."

After scoring a brace against Romania (3-2), which would have been a hat-trick if not for a disallowed goal, and an easy victory in the quarter-finals against Peru (4-2), Pele saw Uruguay ahead. He was once again ignited by the desire for revenge. All of Brazil remembered the terrible "Maracanazo" in 1950, when La Celeste robbed Brazil of its first world title, on home soil. Brazilian playwright Nelson Rodrigues compared the trauma to Hiroshima. Pele took it upon himself to wipe the tears from his country and his father, whom he had seen cry the day they lost. Revenge came perfectly (Brazil won 3-1) and Pele almost scored a goal from nowhere. In a moment of mad inspiration, he took off running and managed to feint without even touching the ball, almost resulting in a cross. The type of feint eventually came to be known as the "Pele feint".

Pele also left his mark on the final, which Brazil won 4-1 with a triumphant header and a brilliant blind pass, proving that he was both a brilliant striker and a team player. The King finally added the third jewel to his crown, the only player to lift the WC three times, making him "the Immortal".

This article is translated from original in French.

Originally published on France24


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