FormerNew York Timessports columnist George Vecsey called Pele the Babe Ruth of soccer only better.
Some people have 15 minutes of fame, Pele will have 15 centuries.
Only a handful of other soccer stars even approach Peles stature as the best there ever was.
Besides popularizing soccer around the world, Peles command of the world stage was unparalleled in sport.
A civil war in Nigeria was stopped, so he could play an exhibition match.
In 1997, Pele was knighted by Britain’sQueen Elizabeth II.
But you dont need to introduce yourself because everyone knows who Pele is.
He had that combination of ability, energy and joy, Vecsey said.
In 1966, he was the most compelling player in the great World Cup won by England.
He was young, mobile, powerful, bursting past defenders, smiling as they hacked him down.
He was a man made for the visual media world.
There will never be another Pele.
There doesnt need to be.
His legacy will only grow bigger.
