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More than ever, Pele: everyone prays for the safety of the idol | Israel today

2022-12-05T08:27:45.834Z


Before the news about Brazil's great footballer, its fans turned the World Cup into a show of glory for the legendary number 10 • The deterioration in his condition only intensified the emotions • Tonight, against the South Korean national team, Neymar will also join the show of honor


When the Brazilian national anthem was played at the start of the game between Brazil and Cameroon on Friday night, a huge deployment flag was raised in the stands of the South Americans.

On the flag, in yellow-green colors, appeared the portrait of Pele, wearing a white Santos shirt, and below it the inscription: Pelé, Get Well Soon.

It was a clear message in view of the news about the deterioration of the former star's condition, wishes for a speedy recovery to the great state players.

This is no small matter.

Unlike the Argentinians who care about the constant presence of Diego Armando Maradona on their shirts, tattoos, flags, songs and daily conduct, Pele was less present in the stands at Brazil's games.

It is likely that this is due to the fact that the team was successful even after he stopped playing and from the fact that it added more trophies to its cupboard without him, but in recent years something has changed.

All of a sudden, Pele entered the stands.

Not only in flags and shirts, but also in songs.

Só Pelé, for example, has become one of the most popular songs in the Selção's games in recent major tournaments.

A song that glorifies the Brazilian and diminishes Maradona.

A real classic.

Pele in the 1970 World Cup. Remembering the past, also worrying about the future,

The turning point was in 2008.

Some students from the University of Sao Paulo came to the conclusion that a revolution was needed in the way Brazilians cheer for their national team, and they decided to take action.

Because of this, they founded the organization Verde Ameralo (green and yellow), the first official fan organization of the national team, which is present here in Qatar and brings a lot of color with it.

"Our relationship with the team is a relationship of love," explained the organizers, "because of the team we love football, and it was important for us to do something."

And one of the things this organization decided to do was glorify Pele's name.

"The first flag we created was in his honor, and I think we already wrote ten songs about it," said one of the members of the organization, "it was important to us to preserve history and honor those who created it. Pela is always with us and always will be."

Breaking the record


The news about the health condition of the 82-year-old former star made this connection much stronger and strengthened the Brazilian's presence in Qatar.

In recent days, his portrait was illuminated on the Losail Towers, and Get Well Soon was also written there.

Many players took to social media to wish him recovery, and Brazil's coach, Chiche, said at the press conference: "We all hope he will be fine. Pele is our greatest representative in the world."

Neymar.

Coming back just in time to make history, photo: Getty Images

In the meantime, a message was published on behalf of the former star: "Friends, I am on my monthly visit to the hospital. I thank Qatar for the gestures they made me and thank everyone for the good energies they sent me."

Pele was supposed to be at the heart of the events here anyway.

His goalscoring record for the national team was in jeopardy, with Neymar only two away from the 79 he had scored, and the new fan organization planned to honor his work in the stands at every game in Qatar.

The unfortunate situation made this whole story much more powerful, a combination of audience-team-past star.

Tonight against South Korea, just like against Cameroon, Pele will be present in full force in the stands and on the grass.

All Brazilians want to succeed - for tradition, for honor, for power - and now, more than ever, also for Pele.

The winner ratio for Brazil's victory is 1.20, for a draw 5.40, for South Korea's victory 8.00

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Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2022-12-05

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