Brazilian dictionary adds “Pelé” as a synonym for “best”

A Brazilian dictionary added “Pelé” as an adjective that will be used to describe someone “exceptional, incomparable, unique.”

The announcement made by Michaelis Dictionary on Wednesday is part of a campaign that has garnered more than 125,000 signatures to honor the impact the soccer great has made on the sport. recently deceased.

Pele, a three-time world champion, died in December at the age of 82 after battling colon cancer.

The dictionary definition states: “Someone who is extraordinary, or who, because of his quality, value, or superiority, cannot be equaled with something or someone, such as Pelé was; nickname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940-2022), considered the best athlete of all time; exceptional, incomparable, unique. Examples: “He is the Pelé of basketball, she is the Pelé of tennis, she is the Pelé of Brazilian theater, he is the Pelé of medicine.”

The Pelé Foundation, Santos FC – where he played a large part of his career – and many Brazilians celebrated the decision of the editors of one of the most recognized dictionaries in the country.

“The expression that has been used in reference to the best in something, is already eternal in the pages of the dictionary,” indicated Pelé’s various social media channels after the announcement. “Together we made history by placing the name of the King of Soccer, in the Portuguese language. Pele means “THE BEST”.

Pelé spent nearly two decades wowing fans, and dazzling his opponents, as soccer’s most prolific goalscorer for his Brazilian club Santos, and for the Brazil national team.

In the debate about the best in football, only the Argentine Diego Maradona, also now deceased, is mentioned along with him. Lionel Messi and the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, both still active, have joined the discussion.

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