A Hublot brand ambassador since 2013, Pelé, the king of soccer, died peacefully on December 29, 2022.
In the last few days of 2022, we lost several celebrities including Vivenne Westwood, Barbara Walters and the 82-year-old king of soccer, Edson Arantes do Nascimento – known to the world as Pelé. Pelé, though, was part of the Hublot family. He was the most recognized person in the “Hublot loves Football” campaign and was a legend not just for how he ruled the game of soccer, but also for the person he was.
“We are so greatly saddened to learn of Pelé’s passing. He was the King of Football, an icon, a champion and a truly great human being. And he was our friend. Today, we celebrate his extraordinary life and his incredible achievements and remember a man who knew what it meant to be First, Unique, Different. Pelé was a pioneer both on and off the football pitch. His performances and his passion on the field of play will never be forgotten, and his legacy in bringing change and justice for those who need it most will inspire others for generations to come. Hublot loves Pelé,” says Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe.
Pelé became famous as a teenager playing for his native Brazil and later went on to win the FIFA World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970 — making him the only player in history to win three times. His goals scored to this day are record setters: 1,279 goals in 1,363 games — a Guinness World Record. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, and on the occasion of its centenary, FIFA named him and Diego Maradona as the Players of the Century. In Brazil, he is known as “The King.
Pelé retired in 1977 and became an international ambassador for sport and peace and championed a number of causes — using the common language of football to break down barriers. He campaigned for an end to leprosy in Brazil and in 1994 became a UNICEF ambassador, raising awareness of the plight of disadvantaged children around the world.
A Hublot brand ambassador since 2013, Pelé died peacefully on December 29, 2022, after battling colon cancer and dealing with other health issues.
