Brazil Declares Nov. 19 as National 'King Pelé Day'

Brazil will celebrate a new national holiday, 'King Pelé Day,' every year on Nov. 19 to honor the soccer legend's 1,000th goal, which he scored in 1969. This law was sanctioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Pelé remains one of the most influential figures in world sports.

Brazil has officially designated Nov. 19 as 'King Pelé Day' to commemorate the date when the iconic soccer player scored his 1,000th career goal in 1969. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva authorized the new national celebration, which honors the three-time World Cup winner who passed away on Dec. 29, 2022, at age 82.

The selected date marks Pelé's memorable penalty goal for Santos against Vasco da Gama at Maracana Stadium, a milestone that has stirred some historical debate. During that 1969 celebration, Pelé also delivered a rare politically charged message urging Brazil to prioritize its children, as the nation was under a military regime from 1964 to 1985.

Sen. Jorge Kajuru, a former sports journalist and proponent of the bill, emphasized Pelé's unparalleled influence on Brazilian soccer and global sports. The announcement comes shortly after the death of Pelé's mother, Celeste Arantes, at the age of 101 last week.

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