SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil will celebrate “King Pele National Day” each year on Nov. 19, the soccer star’s 1,000th career goal in 1969.
The Brazilian government’s official newspaper announced Tuesday that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had approved a law allowing national tribute to the three-time world champion. The wonderful Brazilian footballer died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82. .
The date chosen for the festivities refers to the day Pelé scored Santos’ winning goal from the penalty spot in the 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama at the Maracanã Stadium in 1969; Some football historians debate whether it really was the 1,000th goal. of his career.
Pelé used the purpose’s birthday party to give a rare political speech, in which he told reporters on the field that Brazil deserves to take better care of its children. The South American country was then under a military dictatorship that began in 1964 and will not end until 1985.
“This is a well-deserved popularity for one of the most influential people, not only in Brazilian soccer but also in world sport,” said Senator Jorge Kajuru, a former sports journalist and one of the bill’s sponsors in 2007. Congress.
Last week, Pelé’s mother, Celeste Arantes, died at age 101.
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