When people talk about football or soccer, the first name that comes to mind for many is Pele. The legendary Brazilian striker was one of the biggest stars in the sport from the ‘60s until his retirement in the early ‘80s. Pele’s mesmerizing skills with the ball and explosive speed made him an icon and a legend in his playing days. He is often referred to as “The King” and “The Black Pearl” because of his electric pace and his ability to dribble past defenders like they weren’t there. For anyone who doesn’t know, FIFA World Cup™ is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. It is held every four years and features national teams from across every continent.
History of FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is the most popular sporting event on the planet. It is a quadrennial event that is hosted by a different nation every time. The people who participate are the national football teams of various countries. The event is held every four years, but there have been exceptions to this rule. The tournament is the most-watched sporting event in the world, breaking all sorts of viewership records, and bringing in billions of dollars in revenue. It all started in 1930 when a group of football officials from Europe decided it would be a good idea to have an international football competition where the best teams from different regions could meet in one place. The first-ever World Cup was hosted in Uruguay and featured 13 teams. Uruguay won their first-ever World Cup title, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final. Since then, the tournament has expanded and featured more teams. After World War II, the tournament was held every two years, but now it is held every four years as per the decision made by the FIFA administration. The host nation for the World Cup is selected through a bidding process. The process has been controversial at times, with allegations of corruption and bribery coming up quite frequently. The next edition of the World Cup will be hosted by Qatar.
Why is Pele important to the FIFA World Cup?
When Brazil vs Italy match at the 1958 FIFA World Cup came about, the whole world tuned in. They wanted to see two of the best teams in the world go head to head to decide who would be crowned the champion. This would mark the very first time that Brazil and Italy would be playing each other in the World Cup, and it would also feature two of the biggest names in the sport at that time, Pele and Garrincha. Garrincha was a winger who played for Brazil, while Pele was a striker for Brazil. Ironically, the 1958 FIFA World Cup was the first time when the world would get to see Pele in action. And boy, did he show the world what he was made of! In the very first game of the tournament, Pele played against a team called the Union Vida from Bolivia. He ended up scoring a hat-trick, which was a rare feat back then. He then went on to score a goal against Argentina in the semi-finals and another goal in the final against Sweden.
What was Pele’s role in the FIFA World Cup?
Pele’s most important role in the FIFA World Cup was his performance. He scored 6 goals in 6 games and was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. It was the second time Brazil had won the World Cup after they claimed victory in 1950. In the 1974 FIFA World Cup, Pele was now 35 years of age and most expected him to have a quiet tournament. However, he scored 4 goals in 6 games, including a goal in the quarter-final against Argentina. Brazil made the final where they beat the Netherlands, who were the defending champions. Pele scored another goal in the final against West Germany, which was his 12th and final goal in the World Cup.
How many times did Pele lead his country to victory?
Pele played in four World Cups for Brazil, and they won all four of them. Along with Garrincha, he was a part of the legendary Brazilian team of 1958, 1962, and 1970. He is the only player to have ever scored in three consecutive World Cups. In 1958, Brazil hosted the World Cup, and Pele was just 17 years old. He scored 6 goals in 6 games, and Brazil won the tournament, their first-ever World Cup title. In 1962, Brazil once again won the World Cup. Pele scored 10 goals in 10 games, and Brazil also got their revenge on Hungary. In 1970, Brazil hosted the World Cup. Pele was now 30 years of age, but he was still able to score 5 goals in 6 games.
Final Words
Pele was one of the best footballers in the world and the biggest name in Brazilian football. He dominated the sport for the best part of a decade and has left a legacy that will live on for many years to come. His performances in the FIFA World Cup have left an indelible mark on the history of the tournament, and he is one of the greatest footballers of all time. FIFA World Cup is the most popular sporting event on the planet.