Pele: How the World Mourned

Naaz Hussein, Politics and International Relations always be remembered for his large contribution to the game of football. Andy Warhol famously said: “Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory, instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.” Known as O Rei ( e King), a name that will eternally be tied to his formidable career due to his in uence in not only the football world but the empowering gure he was through being a voice for the lower classes and the black community. International tributes have continued to ood media platforms, but will the international community memorialise his name?

Justice Minister Yariv Levin newly announced plans to overhaul the Supreme Court system, which would allow rulings to be annulled by a majority in the Knesset.

Opponents of the plan say the proposed changes will undermine Israeli democracy. Yael Lotan and Avner Gvaryahu, the heads of Breaking the Silence, a non-governmental organisation that specialises in recounting the experiences of discharged Israeli personnel and reservists in the Occupied Territories, told protesters on Saturday: ‘ is evening, friends, we have built a new democratic camp. One that includes Jews and Arabs, men and women, straight people and LGBTQ people, secular and religious — united against one evil government and for the sake of a better future in this place.’ If these reforms come into e ect, it would allow for the Israeli government to legislate in favour of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank without facing legal challenges in the Supreme Court.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé, passed away on 29 December 2022 a er a long battle ghting colon cancer. e three-time Brazilian World Cup champion will

In the wake of Pelé’s demise, Brazil fell into 3 days of mourning marking the prestige of his in uence. In his memorial, a 24-hour wake was held at the stadium of Santas, his hometeam where he began playing at the young age of 15. At his memorial was FIFA president Gianni Infantino who was accompanied by Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation. In light of memorialising the late player, Infantino has requested the 211-member FIFA association to hold 1 minute of silence before every game and for each member to rename a stadium in their country. Amongst the rst to do so are Columbia and Guinea-Bissau, expressing that future generations must continue to carry his blazing torch and remember his contribution to the game. Following this, Syria is also said to be renaming an inoperative stadium that was formerly used by the Syrian military and originally home to the Syrian national team.

Many remember the rst football stadium they stepped into, an arena where all individuals can rejoice or mourn the loss of their team. Now, Pelé’s weight in the football world will be earmarked for future generations. For the football world, Brazil and Pelé are synonymous, as the Brazilian government notes: ‘he took the name of Brazil wherever he went.’