Pele Death: On 24 September 1977, Pele went to play at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Where the Indian team almost won the match
Image credit source: getty
The great Brazilian footballer Pele is no more in this world. At the age of 82, the great footballer of the century breathed his last. India is also mourning the death of Pele. Everyone paid tribute to Bhaichung Bhutia, the former captain of the Indian football team. Pele, the only football player to win three World Cups, died after a long battle with cancer. When Pele came to India in 2018, Bhutia met him at that time. Recalling old memories, he said that I got a chance to interview him during a program in Delhi. He was such a wonderful and humble person. I talked to him for about 40 minutes.
He said the conversation was on football, his life and something on Indian football. He was quite funny too. I asked him about the last tour of India, but he did not remember in which city he played and what was the result of the match. Maybe it was an effect of age. Pele went to play at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 24 September 1977. Where the Indian team had almost won the match. However, later the match was drawn 2-2.
Pele came in a wheelchair for the second time
Bhutia said that he was really a king. His departure is a big loss for the football world. He inspired millions. Pele’s last visit to India was when he came to Delhi for the Subroto Cup Inter School Final. Bhutia said that the first time he came he was fit but the second time he came on a wheelchair.
Club revenge for Pele
Former India and Mohun Bagan forward Shyam Thapa, who played against Pele in Kolkata, said that I am very sad. I am lucky to have played with him. I can never forget that evening. Thapa left the East Bengal club and joined Mohun Bagan only to play with Pele. Recalling that match, his former teammate Pradeep Chaudhary said that it was raining for 3 days and Eden Gardens was wet. Although 90 thousand fans were present inside the stadium. Never seen such craze for football before.