Brazil declares November 19 as “King Pelé Day”

Brazil has officially designated November 19 as “King Pelé Day” to commemorate the legendary footballer Pelé. This date marks the day in 1969 when Pelé scored what he regarded as his 1,000th career goal.

The announcement came on Tuesday, with the Brazilian government confirming that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had signed the law to honor the three-time World Cup champion.

Pelé, a global icon in football, passed away on December 29, 2022, at 82 years old.

The chosen date is significant as it recalls Pelé’s famous penalty goal for Santos, securing a 2-1 victory against Vasco da Gama at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium.

While some football historians dispute the claim that this was indeed his 1,000th goal, the event remains a landmark in Pelé’s career.

Pelé used the occasion of this goal to make a rare political statement, urging the nation to prioritize the well-being of its children. His plea came during a period of military dictatorship in Brazil, which lasted from 1964 to 1985.

Senator Jorge Kajuru, a former sports journalist and one of the bill’s authors, highlighted the significance of this recognition, stating, “This honor is more than deserved for one of the most important and influential figures in both Brazilian football and global sports.”