English Section

Brazilian soccer great Pelé urges Putin to stop Ukraine war

02.06.2022 10:00
Brazilian soccer icon Pelé has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine, saying that nothing can justify violence, multiple news outlets have reported.
Brazilian soccer legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele.
Brazilian soccer legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele.Photo: EPA/SEBASTIAO MOREIRA

The 81-year-old former soccer player made his plea as Ukraine's national team was set to take on Scotland in a World Cup playoff on Wednesday.

"I want to use today's game as an opportunity to make a request: Stop this invasion," Pelé said in a message posted on Instagram.

"No argument exists that can justify violence," he added. "This conflict is wicked, unjustifiable and brings nothing but pain, fear, terror and anguish."

Wyświetl ten post na Instagramie

Post udostępniony przez Pelé (@pele)

"The power to stop this conflict is in your hands. The same ones I shook in Moscow, at our last meeting in 2017," Pelé also said in his message to Putin.

Pelé and Putin last met in Moscow in 2017 during the Confederations Cup, a tournament held before the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Reuters news agency reported.

Putin has named Pelé as one of his favourite soccer players of all time, according to Reuters.

Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 on Wednesday to move one win away from earning a berth in this year's World Cup.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian team will play Wales for the last ticket to the tournament in Qatar, the ukrinform.net website reported.

(gs)

Source: PAP, Reuters, ukrinform.net