“Performance at a high level in any sport is to exceed the ordinary human scale. But Pelé’s performance transcended that of the ordinary star by as much as the star exceeds ordinary performance.” – Henry Kissinger

For many he has been the best that ever existed. For those that have been fortunate to watch him play, there was no comparison with any other footballer. The newer generations have learned about him through the many shows, articles, movies, biographies and views to the past. However, they did not have the chance to understand why he set the precedence of history.

Everyone knew him as Pelé. For the Brazilians he was O Rei (the King). For his art on the pitch, he was known as the Black Diamond. Few people cared about his true name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Today, they all mourn his departure at age 82 to a better world, after complications with colon cancer that resulted in multiple organ failure.

Whatever could be written in this piece would just be too little and just a repeat of things already said. Sometimes the genius and the true contribution of a legend is best presented by what others have said about him:

“The greatest player in history was Di Stéfano. I refuse to classify Pelé as a player. He was above that.” — Ferenc Puskás

“When I saw Pelé play, it made me feel I should hang up my boots.” — Just Fontaine

“Pelé was the most complete player I’ve ever seen, he had everything. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Quick. Powerful. Could beat people with skill. Could outrun people. Only five feet and eight inches tall, yet he seemed a giant of an athlete on the pitch. Perfect balance and impossible vision. He was the greatest because he could do anything and everything on a football pitch. I remember Saldanha the coach being asked by a Brazilian journalist who was the best goalkeeper in his squad. He said Pelé. The man could play in any position.” — Bobby Moore

“I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player.” — Sir Bobby Charlton

“How do you spell Pelé? Easy: G-O-D.” — Paddy Crerand

“Pelé is the greatest player of all time. He reigned supreme for 20 years. There’s no one to compare with him.” — Franz Beckenbauer

“This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There’s only one possible answer: Pelé. He’s the greatest player of all time, and by some distance I might add.” — Zico

“There’s Pelé the man, and then Pelé the player. And to play like Pelé is to play like God.” — Michel Platini

“It’s only inevitable I look up to Pelé. He’s like a God to us.” — Romário

“Pelé is the greatest player in football history, and there will only be one Pelé” — Cristiano Ronaldo

“I think he is football. You have the real special one – Mr. Pelé.” — José Mourinho

“The best player ever? Pelé. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pelé was better” — Alfredo Di Stéfano

“Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.” — Andy Warhol

His achievements, monuments, awards and records have extensively been documented. However, this is where we pay tribute to the lesser known of his qualities: the man after the spotlight got directed elsewhere. UNESCO’s ambassador of Goodwill. Brazil’s Minister of Sports. Elizabeth II’s choice of being one of the few non-British to receive an honorary knighthood. The humanitarian.

December 29, 2022. It will always be remembered as the date that one of the greatest that the rest of us have had the honor of experiencing his presence, joined the ranks of the angels in heaven. We can take solace in the fact that he will be in good company.