- Brazil will honour football legend Pele with a commemorative day called “King Pele Day” on November 19, 1969
- Pele scored his 1,000th goal for Santos at the Maracana Stadium on that date, dedicating it to “poor children of Brazil”
According to Tuesday’s edition of the government gazette, Brazil football legend Pele will be honoured in his home country with a commemorative day dubbed “King Pele Day”.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, is regarded as the greatest footballer ever. During his illustrious career, he won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 goals.
“King Pele Day” will be held on November 19, 1969, the day the striker scored his 1,000th goal for his boyhood club, Santos, at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium.
Pele scored from the penalty spot in a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama, and the game was briefly interrupted as fans invaded the pitch to celebrate O Rei’s (The King’s) achievement.
The Tres Coracoes native dedicated his historic goal to the “poor children of Brazil”.
The following year, he won the final of his three World Cups as a legendary member of the 1970 Brazil team.
Pele died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82. His death triggered a period of national mourning and worldwide tributes to the sporting icon.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed legislation that established the commemorative date.