Long live the magician, King Pelé

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Earlier this year when another monarch of Britain died, I did not feel anything, as I knew nothing about their heritage.

Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, six years later, in the 1958 World Cup held in Sweden, a 17-year-old became not only king of the world of soccer but he was king of all things in his native Brazil.

Pelé was always respectful. I never in any interview hear him speak ill will of any other player, or any other individual for that matter.

This king sadly passed away on December 29, at the age of 82, and left quite a legacy that many monarchs would envy.

He never had a throne, as he was king in the people’s hearts from the first time we saw him play that beautiful game.

Without question, he was the greatest, and anyone who wants to say otherwise should look at this statistics and the mark he left on the football field. I followed him on Instagram until the last message from his family was posted on the day he died.

Pelé was much more than a footballer, he was a magician, an ambassador and just a great human being who preached love, love and more love, even when he was one of the most abused players in the history of the game.

Long live King Pelé!

MARK TROUGHT