Abedi Pele: The Incredible Story of How Ghana Legend Earned Pele's Name

• Brazilian football icon Edson Arantes do Nascimento popularly known as Pele has died
• The three-time World Cup winner passed on at the age of 82
• Former Ghana captain and three-time African player of the year Abedi Ayew was named after Pele

In football, there are only two Peles, Edson Arantes do Nascimento famously known as Pele and Abedi Ayew Pele of Ghana.

Interestingly both players were not born with the name Pele, but destiny had its way of presenting a unique name for the legends.

On Thursday, December 29, 2022, the footballing world was hit by the sad news of the death of Brazilian icon Pele. He died at the age of 82.

According to the three-time World Cup winner, the name was given to him by a group of fans who were amazed by the level of talent and skills of the then teen sensation.

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On another day, we will uncover more about the name Pele, but how did a Ghanaian footballer ended up getting nicknamed by the legendary figure?

How Abedi Pele got the name Pele

Abedi Pele was born Abedi Ayew in the Eastern part of Ghana, in a little village known as Kibi, but grew up in a small town called Dome in Accra.

When the former Ghana captain was growing up, he had no idea who Pele was as it was not easy to watch games on TV during those days due to the lack of electricity.

However, as a young boy in Ghana, football was a part of the culture. Every corner, there were a group of young boys playing the sport.

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It was from these games that Abedi Pele was nicknamed Pele, by those who had watched and new about the Brazilian icon.

Abedi Pele grew popular during his secondary school days at the Ghana Senior High School in Tamale. Friends and teachers, marvelled by the young Abedi joined the trend by calling his Abedi.

The three-time African footballer of the year will carry the name through to his professional playing days before finally getting the opportunity to meet the man named after him.

Both players were great in their own circles, and while Pele is regarded as the greatest of all-time, Abedi Pele remains the greatest player in the history of Ghana.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the sporting world has taken to various social media platforms to pay tributes to the legendary Brazil football icon Pele, who passed on on Thursday, December 29, 2022.

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Pele, the only player to win the World Cup three times died at age 82.

The former footballer is regarded as the greatest of all time following his trailblazing achievements in the game.