The Tuesday edition of the government gazette announced that Brazil is to pay homage to football legend Pele through the appointment of a day in his name, “King Pele Day”.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known to all as Pele, is considered by many as the greatest footballer of all time after winning a record three World Cups with Brazil and scoring over 1,000 goals in his glittering career.
The event is slated for November 19 — the day the striker scored his 1,000th goal in a game for boyhood club Santos at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium back in 1969.
Pele struck from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win against Vasco da Gama, with the game briefly stopped as fans rushed the field to commemorate O Rei’s achievement.
The Tres Coracoes-native dedicated his landmark goal to the “poor children of Brazil”.
The following year, he won the last of his three World Cups as part of the 1970 legendary Brazil team.
Pele died on 29 December 2022, aged 82. His death was followed by several days of national mourning and tributes to the sporting icon the world over.
The law that created the commemorative date was promulgated by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.