In Memoriam 2022: Pelé (1940–2022) Tribute List

Pelé – born Edson Arantes do Nascimento – was a world-renowned Brazilian soccer player, who became, in his time, the greatest and best-paid athlete in the world, and the only soccer player to win three World Cup championships. At retirement, he held several seemingly unbreakable records, leading FIFA to label Pelé "the greatest" and the IOC to name him Athlete of the Century. Pelé emerged as the first Black global sporting star in the 1958 World Cup, and at career's end (1975), he led the New York Cosmos to a championship and helped popularize the new U.S. soccer league. Pelé also became a Brazilian national hero and supported policies improving social conditions of the poor.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. synonymous
    meaning the same or nearly the same
    For more than 60 years, the name Pelé has been synonymous with soccer. He played in four World Cups and is the only player in history to win three, but his legacy stretched far beyond his trophy haul and remarkable goal-scoring record.
    – CNN
  2. legacy
    anything handed down by someone or something in the past
    For more than 60 years, the name Pelé has been synonymous with soccer. He played in four World Cups and is the only player in history to win three, but his legacy stretched far beyond his trophy haul and remarkable goal-scoring record.
    – CNN
  3. virtuoso
    someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
    Pelé, the Brazilian virtuoso whose captivating skill and athleticism ensured he was universally regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died at the age of 82.
    – The Guardian
  4. captivating
    attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
    Pelé, the Brazilian virtuoso whose captivating skill and athleticism ensured he was universally regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died at the age of 82.
    – The Guardian
  5. genesis
    a coming into being
    The genesis of the nickname Pelé are unclear, even to the footballer. He once wrote in the British newspaper The Guardian that it likely started with school classmates teasing him for mangling the nickname of another player, Bilé. Whatever the origin, the moniker stuck.
    – CNN
  6. moniker
    a familiar name for a person
    The genesis of the nickname Pelé are unclear, even to the footballer. He once wrote in the British newspaper The Guardian that it likely started with school classmates teasing him for mangling the nickname of another player, Bilé. Whatever the origin, the moniker stuck.
    – CNN
  7. penchant
    a strong liking or preference
    Pelé’s electrifying play and penchant for spectacular goals made him a star around the world.
    – Britannica
  8. iconic
    relating to a symbolic figure
    Overnight, Pelé's face shone on buildings across the South American nation and landmarks were lit up in his memory. Fans took to the streets dressed in his iconic number 10 shirt.
    – BBC
  9. innate
    inborn or existing naturally
    Pele possessed an innate sweetness that was evident whenever you were in his presence. "How are you, my friend?" was his go-to greeting, whether he was meeting you for the first time or running into you at an airport decades later.
    – ESPN
  10. fete
    have a celebration in someone's honor
    Though Pele was regularly feted by the high and mighty – from heads of church and state to corporate billionaires – he never lost his sense of boyish wonder. The key to his success and longevity, he maintained, was to "stay as a child who loves the game."
    – ESPN
  11. longevity
    duration of service
    Though Pele was regularly feted by the high and mighty – from heads of church and state to corporate billionaires – he never lost his sense of boyish wonder. The key to his success and longevity, he maintained, was to "stay as a child who loves the game."
    – ESPN
  12. mesmerizing
    attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
    His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionised the sport – a samba-like flair that personified his country's elegance on the field.
    – ESPN
  13. transfix
    render motionless because of surprise, terror, or awe
    His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionised the sport – a samba-like flair that personified his country's elegance on the field.
    – ESPN
  14. linchpin
    a central cohesive source of support and stability
    It was the 1970 World Cup triumph for which he will be best celebrated, the linchpin of a beguiling team that included Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivelino that swept through Mexico, his canary yellow No 10 shirt becoming an icon of the sport.
    – The Guardian
  15. beguiling
    highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
    It was the 1970 World Cup triumph for which he will be best celebrated, the linchpin of a beguiling team that included Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivelino that swept through Mexico, his canary yellow No 10 shirt becoming an icon of the sport.
    – The Guardian
  16. amass
    collect or gather
    At the time of his retirement in 1977, Pelé had amassed a series of seemingly unbreakable records. He had racked up a total of 1,283 goals in 1,363 matches, making him the top scorer in Brazilian national team history and FIFA history.
    – Football History
  17. poverty
    the state of having little or no money and possessions
    Retirement saw "O Rei" go on to campaign for a variety of causes, including poverty reduction, anti-corruption movements, and environmental protection. He also received an honorary knighthood, served as the Minister of Sport in Brazil, and assumed the role of a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador.
    – Football History
  18. honorary
    given as an award without the normal duties
    Retirement saw "O Rei" go on to campaign for a variety of causes, including poverty reduction, anti-corruption movements, and environmental protection. He also received an honorary knighthood, served as the Minister of Sport in Brazil, and assumed the role of a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador.
    – Football History
Created on Fri Dec 30 21:18:55 EST 2022 (updated Mon Jan 09 15:38:22 EST 2023)

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