Pelé

The King of Football

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Edson Arantes do Nascimento (23 October 1940 – 29 December 2022), better known by his nickname Pelé, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes exhibition games, is recognised as a Guinness World Record. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century, alongside Diego Maradona.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Birthplace: Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Died: 29 December 2022
Place of death: São Paulo, Brazil
Resting place: Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica, Santos, São Paulo
Height: 1.73 m / 5 ft 8 in
Education: Metropolitan University of Santos (UNIMES)
Occupation: Footballer, humanitarian

Lore & Background

Pelé began playing for the Brazilian club Santos at age 15, and for the Brazil national team at 16. During his international career, he won three FIFA World Cup titles – in 1958, 1962, and 1970 – becoming the only player to do so and the youngest to win a World Cup, at just 17 years old. He was nicknamed O Rei (the King) following the 1958 World Cup. With 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil, Pelé held the record as the national team's top goalscorer for over fifty years. At club level, Pelé is Santos' all-time top goalscorer with 643 goals in 659 games. In a golden era for Santos, Pelé led the club to victory at the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores and at the 1962 and 1963 Intercontinental Cup. Credited with connecting the phrase 'The Beautiful Game' with football, Pelé's tremendous skill and penchant for spectacular goals made him a global star, and his teams toured internationally to take full advantage of his popularity. During his playing days, Pelé was for a period the highest-paid athlete in the world. After retiring in 1977, he was a worldwide ambassador for football and undertook acting and commercial ventures. In 2010, he was named the honorary president of the New York Cosmos.

Reader's Guide

Pelé averaged almost a goal per game throughout his career and could strike the ball with either foot. While predominantly a striker, he could also be a playmaker, providing assists with his vision and passing ability. In Brazil, he was hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in football and for his outspoken support of policies to benefit the poor. His emergence at the 1958 World Cup, where he became a Black global sporting star, was a source of inspiration. Throughout his career and in his retirement, Pelé received numerous individual and team awards for his performance on the field, his record-breaking achievements, and his legacy in the sport.

Did You Know?

Pelé was named after the American inventor Thomas Edison; his parents decided to remove the 'i' and call him 'Edson', but there was an error on his birth certificate, leading many documents to show his name as 'Edison'.
On the origin of his nickname 'Pelé', he said it probably emerged after he mispronounced the name of his favourite player, Bilé, a goalkeeper for Vasco da Gama.
Pelé grew up in poverty in Bauru and could not afford a proper ball, often playing with a grapefruit or a sock stuffed with newspaper.
In 1961, the government of Brazil under President Jânio Quadros declared Pelé an 'official national treasure' to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Pelé?

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was a Brazilian forward widely regarded as the greatest player of all time. He earned the nickname The King for his immense skill and record-breaking achievements during his career.

What clubs did Pelé play for?

His professional career began at Santos FC in Brazil, where he spent most of his playing years before moving to New York Cosmos in the United States. He also represented the Brazil National Team on the international stage with great success.

How many World Cups did Pelé win?

Pelé is the only player in history to win three FIFA World Cup titles, securing victories for Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970. This unique achievement cemented his legacy as a global sporting icon.

How many goals did Pelé score?

He holds the Guinness World Record for scoring the most goals in a career, with an official count of 1,279 goals across 1,363 games including friendlies. This statistic highlights his extraordinary consistency and finishing ability over two decades.