Brazil will commemorate the legacy of soccer legend Pele with a national holiday on November 19 every year. This date marks the day Pele scored what he considered to be his 1,000th goal in 1969. The Brazilian government’s official publication announced on Tuesday that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had signed a law establishing the national tribute. Pele, the three-time World Cup winner, died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82.
The chosen date for the national holiday is a reference to the day Pele scored the winning penalty for Santos in a 2-1 victory against Vasco da Gama at the Maracana Stadium in 1969. However, some soccer historians question whether this was actually his 1,000th goal. Following this goal, Pele gave a rare political speech, calling for Brazil to prioritize its children’s well-being. This speech took place during a period of military dictatorship in Brazil, which spanned from 1964 to 1985.
Sen. Jorge Kajuru, a former sports reporter and a sponsor of the bill in Congress, stated, “This is a well-deserved recognition for one of the most important and influential individuals not only in Brazilian soccer but in world sports.” Last week, Pele’s mother, Celeste Arantes, passed away at the age of 101.
