November 19 – Pele Hits a Grand
EARLIER this year former Brazilian striker Romario scored what he claimed was the 1000th goal of his career. His scoring feat is disputed by some (including FIFA) because as well as including goals scored in youth games and friendly matches he had spent the previous couple of years playing for any team in any Mickey Mouse league to reach the magic number.
It was on this day in 1969 that Pele did reach the 1000 mark in a match for his Santos team against Vasco da Gama in only his 909th game.
Incredibly he managed the feat at the age of 29, some 12 years younger than Romario was when he notched up his dubious record.
The goal in question was a penalty, which Pele would later say was one of the worst he had ever taken. After he converted the spot kick many of the 80,000 fans packed inside the Maracana stadium rushed on to the pitch to mob him, delaying the restart of the game for some 30 minutes.
The Vasco goalkeeper was also prepared for the event and after the ball sailed past him into the back of the net he took off his jersey to reveal a congratulatory message written on a t-shirt underneath.
Pele’s final goal tally is also a matter of some dispute but FIFA reckon he hit 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, but whatever the final number, it was well over the 1000 mark.
He is senor Edson Arantes do Nascimento scoring that goal, and come back tomorrow for some more penalty shenanigans.
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