Pele on Stamps and the ‘Beautiful Game’

If there’s one name in football that has remained in the minds and hearts of football players and enthusiasts, it’s Pele. So what makes Pele the most popular man in this sport? To know about the player, one has to pay attention to his many sporting records and achievements. Up until this time, Pele is the all-time leading scorer of the Brazilian soccer team, and the only player to be part of the Brazilian team that managed to win three World Cups. Also, he was the youngest player to have scored in an international match - in 1957, a few days before his 17th birthday. One can say that it was one goal that redefined the sport and catapulted Pele to superstar status. This record remained unsurpassed until today, thus earning him a number of accolades, including the citation ‘FIFA Player of the Century’.

Tracing Pele’s career and his O Milésimo

It was in the 1958 World Cup when Pele made first an appearance. He was part of the Brazilian team, and the youngest goal scorer of the World Cup Finals. The first goal was recorded in the quarterfinals, and this was just the start of amazing things to come. He scored another goal in the semi-finals, making him the youngest player to make the goal. But he didn’t stop with the semi-final goals; Pele also played strong in the finals and scored a goal, making him the youngest to do so in the World Cup finals. Pele’s career was defined by many firsts and leading scores. For example, he holds a goal scoring record that is difficult to match up to this day. In 1363 games, he made 1280 goals - now considered a world record. His 1000th goal which is often called O Milésimo (The Thousandth) was made in a penalty strike at the Maracana Stadium. And to commemorate this significant sporting event, a stamp was designed and issued and is now considered as one of best stamps available in the market.

Pele on stamps

There were a number of stamps that were designed to commemorate Pele’s achievements in the game. He was part of the stamp’s design in 1970 when the Brazilian team managed to win the Cup. The stamp shows Pele and his two team-mates as he celebrates a goal.

Pele may be Brazilian but it doesn’t mean that he’s only immortalized on Brazilian stamps. Other countries have also paid tribute to Pele’s artistry on the playing field. Many countries that have also professed their love and passion for the ‘beautiful game’ included Pele in their stamp programs. For example, the Russian Republic of Komi issued stamps with Pele as the leading star.

Pele’s influence in the sport extends beyond his professional playing career. Even after his retirement from the game, Pele was often used as the subject of many write-ups and stamps issued in Brazil and other countries. He also performed other roles in support of many organizations, including United Nations and UNESCO as ambassador.