October 16, 2000. Copyright, 2000, Graphic News. All rights reserved

THE GREATEST FOOTBALLER OF THEM ALL
By Mark Samms

LONDON, October 16, Graphic News:  WHEN you are born with a name like Edson Arantes do Nascimento, and you are destined to become the finest footballer the world has ever seen, it makes sense to call yourself Pele. Signing autographs becomes so much more agreeable.

And no signature has ever been more sought-after. In the notoriously competitive environment of professional football, Pele has become universally accepted as its finest exponent and greatest ambassador.

It is difficult to believe that this ever-smiling, ever-courteous man is 60 this year. In the minds of millions of admirers around the world, he will always be the bounding, gliding, graceful genius in the green and yellow shirt.

Pele played his first professional game at the age of 15, was awarded his first cap at the age of 16, and the following year won the first of three World Cup winnerÕs medals. It was a prodigious launch to a career that eventually included an astonishing 1,283 first-class goals.

When he eventually retired at the age of 34, his club Santos removed the number 10 shirt from their line-up forever. It was their way of stating what everyone already knew -- there would only ever be one Pele.
Happy birthday, maestro.
/ENDS