King of football Pele had to move with a stand
The Brazilian football legend attended the opening ceremony of the Rio state football championship and walked around using a wheeled walker to keep his balance.
Pele (right) moves with the support stand at the opening ceremony of the Rio state championship (Brazil), on January 15. This is a rare time the "King of Football" has appeared before the Brazilian public recently.
At 77, Pele is much weaker than before. Last year, the "King of Football" had to be hospitalized for a long time due to health problems.
Another rare public appearance by Pele in recent months was at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow, Russia in December 2017. At that time, the Brazilian legend had to use a wheelchair instead of walking on his own.
Born in 1940, Pele was one of the first superstars of Brazilian football. In 1958, before he turned 18, the 1.73 m tall striker helped Brazil win its first World Cup.
Pele also won two more World Cups in 1962 and 1970, and is the only player to have won three times. This is also an achievement that fans have honored as the "King of Football".
During his club career, instead of going to Europe, Pele only played for one club in Brazil, Santos. In 1975, when he was on the other side of the glory slope, the "King of Football" went to the US to play for New York Cosmos for two years and then retired.
