Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He passed away on December 29, 2022, leaving behind a monumental legacy in the world of sports.
Career Highlights
- Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder
- Clubs:
- Santos FC (1956–1974): Won multiple state, national, and international titles.
- New York Cosmos (1975–1977): Helped popularize soccer in the United States.
- National Team: Brazil (1957–1971)
- Appearances: 92 caps
- Goals: 77 goals (tied record with Neymar as of 2022)
Achievements
- 3× FIFA World Cup Champion:
- 1958 (Sweden) – Youngest World Cup winner at age 17
- 1962 (Chile)
- 1970 (Mexico) – Considered part of one of the greatest teams in history
- 1,281 career goals in 1,363 games, including friendlies — Guinness World Record
- FIFA Player of the Century (joint winner with Diego Maradona, 2000)
- Time 100: The Most Important People of the 20th Century
Legacy
- Pelé is credited with revolutionizing football with his creativity, technique, and sportsmanship.
- A global ambassador for the sport, he used his fame for humanitarian work, UNESCO campaigns, and as Brazil’s Minister of Sports.
- Inspired generations of players worldwide and is still considered the gold standard for excellence in football.
Cultural Icon
- Called “The King of Football (O Rei do Futebol)“
- Featured in films, documentaries, books, and music
- Honored with statues, stadiums, and schools named after him
Fun Fact
Pelé also dabbled in acting and music. He starred in the 1981 football movie “Escape to Victory” alongside Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine, and even released several music tracks!
