Pele in quotes: The “illogical” genius supposed in quotes from the game’s greats
For some, Pele was the best footballer of all.
From humble beginnings in Santos, Brazil, this boy would go on to become the youngest ever World Cup final scorer, the first man to win the trophy three times, and an inspiration not only in Brazil but the world, as one of the first truly global superstars. of the game.
This is the man himself, as described by some of his contemporaries and those touched by his magic on the field.
Pelle in quotes
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all love for what you do or learn to do.”
— Pele, on how he achieved success
“In some countries they wanted to touch him, in others they wanted to kiss him. In others, they even kissed the ground on which he walked. I thought it was beautiful, just beautiful.”
– Brazilian teammate Clodoaldo
“Pele was the only footballer who crossed the boundaries of logic.”
– Johan Cruijff
“A penalty kick is a cowardly way to score.”
— Pelé, about penalty kicks
“The greatest player in history was [Alfredo] Di Stefano. I refuse to classify Pelé as a player. He was above that.”
— Ferenc Puskas
“There’s Pele the man, and then Pele the player. And to play like Pele is to play like God.”
— Michel Platini
“Pele is the greatest player in football history and there will only be one Pele.”
-Cristiano Ronaldo
“Pele was the most complete player I’ve ever seen, he had it all. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Fast. Powerful. Can beat people with skill. Can outrun people. Only five feet tall, but still he looked like the field a giant of an athlete. Perfect balance and impossible vision. He was the best because he could do anything and everything on a football field. I remember Saldanha, the coach, being asked by a Brazilian journalist who was the best goalkeeper in his selection was. He said Pelle. The man could play in any position.”
—Bobby Moore
“I don’t believe there is such a thing as a ‘born’ footballer. You may be born with certain skills and talents, but frankly it seems impossible to me that anyone is born to be a top footballer.”
— Pele, on the idea of God-given talent
“This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There is only one possible answer: Pele. He’s the best player of all time, and I might add by some distance.”
— Zico
“To watch him play was to see the joy of a child combined with the extraordinary grace of a man.”
—Nelson Mandela
“If you’re the first, you’re the first. If you are second, you are nothing.”
– Pele, about losing
“It is only inevitable that I look up to Pele. He is like a God to us.”
— Romario
“The best player ever? Pele. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pele was better.”
—Alfredo Di Stefano
“The ambition should always be to play an elegant game.”
— Pele
“I’m a Pele fan from way back when I was a kid, and later on there was always that thing about Pele and Maradona. I was young and impressionable as a kid, but it was always Pele for me.
-Sir Alex Ferguson
“His big secret was improvisation. Those things he did were in one moment. He had an extraordinary perception of the game.”
— Carlos Alberto
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