The soccer world has lost its greatest: "O Rei", the king, Pelé. He scored more than 1250 goals by the end of his soccer career in 1977 and was honored with three world championship titles. His impact, however, went far beyond the borders of the sports world.
As the first black soccer star, who was also the first global soccer star ever, he inspired People of Color worldwide. Pelé also transformed the impact of soccer: with his style of play, he transformed the ball sport into an art form in its own right with a high entertainment factor.
The sports world has honored this time and again: in 1999, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted him Sportsman of the Past Century, and in 1983, ISPO honored him with the ISPO Cup.
But no award can better measure Pelé's influence on sports, culture and human interaction than the voices of famous personalities. They show how Pelé touched and changed their lives.