Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin 8:55 p.m., December 29, 2022
The Brazilian Pelé, the best footballer of the 20th century, born on October 23, 1940, has left us.
A look back at the incredible destiny of Edson Arantès do Nascimento, the most famous number 10 in the Seleção, in five key dates.
Brazil mourns its legend.
Football legend Pelé passed away on Thursday.
From his early career with the Santos FC club, to his world championship titles, a look back at five milestones in the career of one whose "legacy will not be forgotten" as Kylian Mbappé tweeted
The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.
RIP KING... pic.twitter.com/F55PrcM2Ud
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) December 29, 2022
October 23, 1940
It was on October 23, 1940 that little Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in Tres Coraçoes in the state of Minas Gerais (north of Rio de Janeiro).
Pelé comes from a poor family.
His father was an amateur footballer.
And Pelé had taken the habit of accompanying him regularly during his training.
Very quickly attracted by the round ball, the future striker of the Seleçao was spotted as a teenager during a selection.
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September 7, 1956
Spotted by Santos, and then barely 15 years old, it was on September 7, 1956 that Pelé entered the field against Corinthians.
A first match therefore with the professionals, meeting during which he marks the blow by scoring his first goal.
He will evolve 18 years under the black and white jersey of Peixe ("fish").
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June 29, 1958
Records of precocity, Pelé connects them.
And it was during the 1958 World Cup that his genius finally burst into the eyes of the world in the final of the competition.
He notably scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against France.
But it is especially during the final that he marks the spirits.
His double against Sweden, host country, contributes to the first coronation of the Seleçao.
On June 29, 1958, Pelé became the youngest player to win the World Cup.
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June 21, 1970
June 21, 1970 marks the accession of the King.
After a two-year break with the selection, after the disappointment of the English World Cup, Pelé returns to "the most beautiful Seleçao in history" and performs a prodigious 1970 World Cup. His gestures and his goals are unforgettable, among including his victorious header in the final which launched Auriverde's brilliant success against Italy (4-1).
More than the first two, this third coronation is his.
July 18, 1971
It's time to retire with the Séléçao.
Pelé retired from international football at the age of 30, during a friendly match against Yugoslavia (2-2) at the Maracana.
The country will implore him to reconsider his decision, in vain.