F1 Immortal Ayrton Senna’s Death Dubbed More Significant Than Pelé’s: “Don’t Know Him That Well”

The sporting world certainly got a tremor when they got to know the Soccer legend Pele passed away. A 3-time World Cup winner and a Brazilian legend of the sport, it was a huge shock for every soccer fan. Although, some feel that his demise was still natural. So, when Ayrton Senna died in unceremonious circumstances, it was more shocking and significant.

Renato Carvalho, a Brazilian retired businessman, recalled his old memories of meeting the great man Pele. Along with him, a 41-year-old receptionist Donny Alves also put forth his thoughts about Pele’s death.

Talking to the Guardian, Alves contrasted Senna’s death with that of Pele, “When Ayrton Senna died [in 1994] the whole world came to a halt. That won’t happen with Pelé.” He reasoned how soccer has become a corrupt sport and people have lost belief in it.

He added, “They don’t love the [Brazilian] national team like they used to. They’re tired of it all.” Carvalho also agreed with this sentiment and said, “I think people will take his death more naturally.”

“Pelé’s success was a long time ago. People obviously know who he is but they don’t know him that well, so his death is a more natural thing.” There may be a point that Pele passed away at the age of 82. So it is more of an expected event that might have occurred naturally sooner or later.

Read More: Soccer Legend Pele Once Almost Robbed F1 Icon Michael Schumacher of a Race Win After an Inadvertent Mistake

Although is Senna a bigger Brazilian legend than Pele, to call his death more significant? It may differ from every person’s perspective. Still, the sporting caliber and stature of both Senna and Pele certainly make them Brazilian sporting icons.

Has Ayrton Senna’s Untimely Demise made him a Bigger Phenomenon than Pele?

Pele’s success came quite early in the 60s and 70s. Winning 3 world cups for Brazil in 1958, ’62, and ’70 made a huge contribution to Brazilian soccer culture. Ayrton Senna also won 3 F1 championships, but it is very difficult to equate a Soccer World Cup win with a Formula 1 world title win.

But besides their sporting records and achievements, it is the shocking emotional wave that hit the world after Imola 1994. Ayrton Senna who was looking to keep his dominant success streak in F1 going suddenly met a huge accident.

It was the sudden nature of losing a sporting icon of the country that caused a bigger impact. There was so much more for Senna to achieve. Maybe a couple more world championships, a dozen more race wins. Still, all remained unfulfilled by just a small and rare error at the Tamburello chicane in Imola.

On the other hand, Pele lived a full life. Contributing a big hand in Brazil’s first 3 World cup triumphs, becoming the highest goal scorer for his country. Pele even has the Guinness World record for his all-time career goals tally in soccer. After a lasting impact on Brazilian and world soccer culture, there was little that Pele may have regretted not accomplishing.

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After all, Senna’s sporting story will arguably remain incomplete compared to that of Pele. Still, the amount of impact these two sportsmen had on Brazilian sport and world sport is certainly unparalleled. Let us know your thoughts on Senna and Pele.