The famous Brazilian football player Pele is now a synonym for “the best” in a new entry in the dictionary which defines his name meaning in English
After more than 125,000 people signed a petition, the Michaelis dictionary made the news. Someone who fits this description is “extraordinary, unmatched, and one-of-a-kind,” just like Pele, who was thought to be one of the best players of all time.
What is the meaning of Pele in English after name is added to the dictionary
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who was known as Pele, died of colon cancer at the age of 82 in December 2022. His funeral in Brazil was attended by a huge crowd of people who all wanted to pay their respects to the famous soccer player.
The word ‘Pele’ is being added to the Portuguese dictionary as something that is ‘incomparable, unique’ and an example of ‘the best’ 👑🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/x4Mtxbg1mu
— GOAL (@goal) April 27, 2023
Over the course of more than 20 years, Pele proved that he was one of the best football players ever. The striker, who was loved by everyone in Brazil, played for 18 years with Santos and then for two years with the New York Cosmos. He got into the Guinness Book of World Records because he scored more than 1,000 goals.
On top of that, he was on Brazil teams that won the World Cup. In 1958, he scored two goals and helped Brazil become the best team in the world for the first time. He led them to the prize two more times, in 1962 and 1970, and retired as Brazil’s all-time leader in goals scored.
Pele named honoured with new dictionary entry as “The Best”
Individual awards would come next, and in 2000, FIFA named Pele the Player of the Century. He never won a Ballon d’Or because he wasn’t qualified while he was playing, but in 2013, a trophy was given to the Brazilian to honour his achievements.
Some of the biggest stars were sad about his death today, and Cristiano Ronaldo paid him a touching farewell on Instagram. Pele’s work and skills have already been remembered in many ways, but now his name will also be used to call someone “the best.”
A Brazilian dictionary has added "Pelé" as an adjective to use when describing someone who is “exceptional, incomparable or unique.” 🐐🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/aDhXihKwRR
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 27, 2023
The Michaelis dictionary says, “The one that is extraordinary, or who because of his quality, value or superiority cannot be matched to anything or anyone, just like Pelé; nickname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940-2022), considered the best athlete of all time; exceptional, incomparable, unique.”
Pele eternalized in history as the best player
The news was shared on Pele’s social media accounts, along with a statement that said, “The expression that was already used to refer to the best in what you do is eternalized in the pages of the dictionary. Together we made history and put the name of the King of football in our Portuguese language. Pele, the meaning of “BEST”!”
The choice to add Pele as an adjective to the dictionary is a fitting way to honour a great person who did so much for the world of football. Pele will always be known for how good he was at football and how much he cared about it.