CAB To Honour Pele At Eden Gardens During India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI

The first time he came to India was in 1977 to play in a friendly match against Mohun Bagan and ended up coming here thrice.

Pele is the only football player to have won three World Cups.

Source : AFP

The Cricket Association of Bengal will be honouring the legendary Brazil footballer Pele who recently passed away. They will show the clips of his playing days on the screens of the iconic Eden Gardens between India and Sri Lanka on Thursday.

On September 24, 1977, Pele visited the stadium and played for  New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan. The legendary footballer has a huge fan following in India, especially in the city of joy, Kolkata. The first time he came to India was in 1977 to play in a friendly match against Mohun Bagan and ended up coming here thrice.

CAB's joint secretary Debabrata Das informed that a laser show will be organised during the innings break. Ex-Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara will inaugurate the match by ringing the bell. Earlier, Pele, born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was suffering from kidney and heart ailments and had been in the hospital since November with multiple ailments.

Pele underwent a procedure for the removal of a colon tumour last year. On November 29, he was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, due to a complication of colon cancer. He breathed his last at the hospital after suffering multiple organ failure. The Brazilian legend guided his country to three World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Pele, who played his last international game on July 18, 1971, against Yugoslavia in Rio de Janeiro, ended up with 77 career goals in 92 games. He continues to be the top goalscorer for Brazil.

Pele was known for his anticipation on the field and top-notch powerful finishes that would leave goalkeepers eating dust. Pele, who would play as a striker or centre forward in the initial years of his career, developed versatility in his game that allowed him to move deeper into the field and build up plays with quick dribbles and exceptional passing. His flair on the field and feint moves, such as the 'drible da vaca', allowed him to beat his opponents with ease and grace.