To honor Brazilian football star, Pele, Premier League and English Football League teams will don black armbands and observe a minute of applause this weekend.
At the age of 82, the three-time World Cup champion passed away on Thursday.
Worldwide condolences have been expressed, and Brazil has proclaimed three days of national mourning.
The upcoming Premier League round will consist of 10 games, with the first two games taking place on Friday and the final eight on Sunday.
Prior to Friday’s and the 1st and 2nd of January’s EFL games, the EFL announced that there will be a minute of applause while players will wear black armbands “in honour of Pele’s life.”
Flags at Fifa’s headquarters in Switzerland have been flown at half-mast in memory of Pele as a sign of respect and grief.
In upcoming matches, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has “organized a minute’s silence to honor Pele,” according to the organization.
Managers have also shown respect, with Pep Guardiola of Manchester City claiming that Pele’s ability to evoke strong emotions in spectators made football “a better place.”
“There’s not another show or event that can produce this type of emotion. It’s part of what these exceptional players do,” Guardiola explained.
“Football is football thanks to these types of people, players, human beings. Before, the number 10 was just a number and after him it became something special. Every top player wanted to wear number 10 in their team.”
“What he has done for football is there and always will remain.”
Antonio Conte, manager of Tottenham, claimed Pele was “one of the most significant individuals on the planet. We are discussing the history of football “.
He also added: “I was lucky to know him and honestly I am really sad for his death. Also because Pele was a person who was an important person for football. One of the most popular. Maybe the most popular player in football.”
“His behaviour, it was always a person who lived without arrogance and showed always to be a humble person despite, in my opinion with [Diego] Maradona being the best players in the world.”
The Brazilian legend was praised as a “absolute giant” of football by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
“In my era, you grew up knowing of Pele, thinking of him as the best player the world had ever seen at that moment,” Howe added.
“It’s very, very sad. Whenever an icon passes away, it’s a very sad moment for football. Seeing the reaction of everybody, media, everyone connected with football, he’s certainly well remembered around the world.”
Frank Lampard, manager of Everton, said: “The reach of his game was huge and has stayed. That name will continue for ever more. It’s a sad day for football.”
Before honoring George Cohen, a club veteran and World Cup champion in 1966, Fulham will pay tribute to Pele.
Cohen passed away on December 23. Fulham will play Southampton at Craven Cottage for the first time since his passing on Saturday.
Pele
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known by his alias Pelé, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward from October 23, 1940, until December 29, 2022.
He was among the most accomplished and well-known athletes of the 20th century, and FIFA even named him “the greatest” player of all time.
He was named the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete of the Century in 1999, and Time named him one of the 100 most influential individuals of the 20th century.
Pelé was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award in 2000 and was chosen by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the World Player of the Century.
Including friendly, he scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which is recognized as a Guinness World Record.
How good was the Brazilian?
Pelé is renowned for associating football with the expression “The Beautiful Game.”
He was a frequent scorer who was renowned for his ability to see opponents approaching the area and finish off opportunities with a precise and potent shot with either foot.
In addition to being a complete forward with excellent vision and intellect, Pelé was a dedicated team player who was praised for his ability to connect with teammates and help them out.
