Pelé

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.

In Their Own Story

The sun beat down on Vila Belmiro in 1963. The crowd roared as the referee blew the whistle for halftime. Pelé wiped sweat from his brow, passing a ball to a young fan near the touchline without breaking stride. He didn't need words; the stadium knew him by instinct. When he returned for the second half, the noise swelled like an ocean tide. He scored in the 70th minute, a simple chip over the keeper that silenced the visiting fans instantly.

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, but his parents removed the 'i' and called him 'Edson'.
• He grew up in poverty in Bauru and often played with a grapefruit or a sock stuffed with newspaper because he could not afford a proper ball.
• Pelé credited futsal for helping him think better on the spot and for giving him confidence when he played with adults at age 14.
• 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.