Pele was voted Athlete of the Century for his outstanding performance and for being such a positive role model for other athletes and youth in general.

role 的意思是"角色"，在这里指"在社会或群体中承担的身份或职责"。 model 的意思是"模型、模范"，在这里指"值得效仿的榜样"。 role model 指"行为榜样"，即因其言行举止而值得他人效仿的人。