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In the year On December 29, 2022, when news broke that Brazilian footballer Pele had passed away at the age of 82, the sport lost an icon immediately.
In truth, there aren’t enough great players to describe the impact the Brazilian has had on football over his 21-year career.
Still, 45 years after his retirement, Pele remains the only player to have lifted the World Cup three times (in 1958, 1962 and 1970) and in 2000 was voted FIFA’s Player of the Century.
I wouldn’t lie when I said there aren’t enough superlatives to describe Pele.
To me, the one thing that sets Pele apart from the rest – beyond the goals, trophies, individual accolades, and lasting legacy left behind in the world’s most popular sports – is his unique sense of style. Something as eccentric as the way he played the beautiful game.
Unlike the modern footballer mentality (you know, the kind where the price tag screams more than the design), Pele’s off-pitch wardrobe oozed both style and sophistication, two words not often used to describe those playing today’s game.
From short-shorts and polos, red leather ensembles, Hawaiian shirts and a plethora of three-piece suits with the signature (and inherently ’70s) oversized collar, the style doesn’t conform to or boast of any stereotypes. Rhyme or reason, it just worked. Seamlessly, actually.
While there will always be debates about whether Pele is the greatest footballer of all time or whether he will ever succeed in the modern game (he will, FYI), there is no doubt in my mind that another footballer will never come. Close to capturing Pele’s introspective and forward-thinking style.
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