Sporting Life

Pele to Rashford, a long line of athletes to admire

Pele was a partly mythological figure venerated in football annuals. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

In late October, history tells us, artists have arrived to change us. It is when Picasso was born, Johan Strauss Jr showed up and Pele set foot on the planet. The Brazilian in fact has a birthday two days before mine and as a boy this minor coincidence became hugely significant. The same week? Surely I would play like him? This notion was quickly extinguished, but we remain companions on the calendar.

Pele turned 80 last week, his face an ancient landscape, but if you grew up with him he will always be the man leaping into the air after a goal. Gravity was among the many things he defied. He was my first football hero and Marcus Rashford is my most recent figure of admiration. As times change so do the people we look up to.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.