The world of football has lost its King. The death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more commonly known as Pelé, ended one of the most important periods in football history.
Precursor, symbol of a whole sport and eternal legend, Pelé branded the most popular sport in the world.
The legendary number 10 has inspired a whole generation of supporters who, until then, have become more and more familiar with this emerging discipline.
From the depths of the confines of Brazil, the pearl Pelé conquered the hearts of the most reluctant to this sport and was, for a long time, the ambassador of football.
The “King” visits Algeria
In his agenda, Pelé spearheaded the Brazilian selection in his many tours around the world. Tours of which Algeria was there.
Thus, on the strength of their two consecutive World Cup titles in 1958 and 1962, the Brazilians visited Algeria in 1965 to prepare for the 1966 World Cup. A visit which allowed the young Algerian football team to face the cream of football global.
However, for the Algerian public, it is Pelé’s game alone. In the midst of many Brazilian talents such as Garrincha, Bellini, Vavà, Pelé captured the general intention of the Oran public.
Inside the Municipal stadium in Oran, Algeria and Pelé delivered a performance worthy of a gala. A match that will inspire, several decades later, the novel “The day when Pelé” by the Algerian writer, Abdelkader Djemaï.
“When Pelé comes to Algeria, it’s like breathing. A moment when life resumes. It was a very important event. said the writer in an interview.
This meeting between Algeria and Brazil ended in a clear victory for the reigning world champions with a score of 3-0.
King Pelé, nicknamed for the time, the Prince, left the field in the 20th minute of the first period. “Pelé’s exit in the 20th minute, it was as if something had been stolen from the public. writes Abdelkader Djemaï in his novel.
On this victory, the visit of the Selecao, and Pelé, ended, rather than expected, in Algeria. 3 years later, Pelé returned to the Algerian courts by facing the national team of Algeria under the mythical white tunic of his club, Santos FC. A match that the municipal stadium of Oran hosted in 1968.
King Pelé’s last spell with Algeria was in 2014. The football legend visited Algeria when he kicked off the friendly between Algeria and Slovenia at the Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida. .
