Pele was a former Brazilian football player who is one of the most sensational players ever. His spectacular skills on the field fetched him many World Cups, and millions were inspired by massive performances on the field.
Personal Information
| Full Name | Edson Arantes do Nascimento |
| Born | 23 October 1940 |
| Died | 29 December 2022 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in |
| Spouse | Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (1966–1982) Assíria Nascimento (1994–2008) Marcia Aoki (2016–2022) |
| Nickname | O Rei, The King |
| Position | Forward, Attacking midfielder |
| Jersey No. | 10 (Santos FC / Forward) 10 (New York Cosmos / Forward) |
| Country | Brazil |
Early Life and Family Background
Pele was born on October 23, 1940. His name at birth is Edson Arantes do Nascimento. He was born in the town of Três Corações, Brazil, to Dondinho, who played football, and Celeste, who looked after the family’s household. So, football became a comprehensive constituent of little Edson’s early years since the family he lived in was pretty poor.
Pele’s Introduction to Football
Pele started playing football from childhood, sometimes using a sock full of paper as a ball. He very well exhibited his talent for the game when he joined local teams to develop the same further as a child. The love for football just blossomed further as he practiced on the streets of his home city.
First Steps in Professional Football
At 15, he was signed to Santos FC, which was one of Brazil’s top clubs. Pele soon made his presence felt through his extraordinary goal-scoring ability. Since 1956, when he broke into the ranks of Santos with his professional debut, his career had picked up terrific speed.
Debut for the Brazilian National Team
Pele was discovered in 1957, when he was 16 years old, and he began to appear for Brazil. Talented, with exceptionally good field vision, he soon became one of the stars in the team and had a mythical international career.
Breakthrough at the 1958 World Cup
Pele’s record came at the age of 17, for his first World Cup medal was won during the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. He then became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final. He helped Brazil win the championship after scoring a hat-trick in the semifinal and two in the final, marking him as the great emerging talent in football.
Winning Three World Cups
Pele is the only football player who has won three World Cups. He played amazingly important parts for Brazil’s victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970, thereby becoming the most successful player in World Cup history and an idol around the globe due to his participation and performances in these tournaments.
Playing for Santos FC
Pele spent most of his club career at Santos FC, where he played from 1956 until 1974. He helped Santos win many domestic and international titles, like the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup. In addition to this, he was also the all-time leading scorer for that club.
Pele’s Impact on Brazilian Football
The success of Pele transformed Brazilian football into the world’s mighty force. His creative play, dribbling, and powerful shooting inspired a generation of Brazilian players and brought international recognition to Brazil’s unique style of football.
Pele’s Famous Goals and Achievements
Pele is renowned for his extraordinary goal-scoring record, with his tally being one of the most impressive in football history. Here’s a breakdown of his goal-scoring achievements:
1. Total Career Goals:
- Pele is often credited with scoring 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, including both official and unofficial games. While this figure includes friendly matches, it demonstrates his incredible consistency over the years.
2. Official Goals
- In official matches, Pele scored 757 goals in 812 games, making him one of the highest-scoring players in history.
3. Santos FC
- Pele scored 643 goals in 659 competitive matches for Santos FC, where he played the majority of his career (1956–1974). His goal tally at Santos makes him one of the top scorers for a single club.
4. Brazil National Team
- Pele scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil. He remains Brazil’s joint top scorer, sharing the record with Neymar Jr. as of 2023.
- World Cup Goals: Pele scored 12 goals across four World Cups (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970).
- 1958 World Cup: 6 goals, including 2 in the final.
- 1962 World Cup: 1 goal (injured after group stage).
- 1966 World Cup: 1 goal (Brazil eliminated in the group stage).
- 1970 World Cup: 4 goals, including 1 in the final.
5. New York Cosmos
- During his time with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL), Pele scored 37 goals in 64 matches between 1975 and 1977.
6. Hat-tricks and Records
- Pele scored 92 hat-tricks in his career.
- He is one of the youngest players to ever score in a World Cup final, achieving this at the age of 17 in 1958.
Notable Goals:
- 1,000th Goal: Pele’s 1,000th goal came in a penalty for Santos against Vasco da Gama on November 19, 1969. This moment, known as the “O Milésimo” goal, was celebrated as a milestone in world football.
- 1970 World Cup Final Goal: His header against Italy in the 1970 World Cup final remains one of the most iconic moments in football history, sealing Brazil’s third World Cup victory.
Pele’s extraordinary goal-scoring ability, combined with his all-around play, solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers ever.
Pele Bicycle Kick
It is just of the most iconic moments in football history-Pelé’s bicycle kick. A bicycle kick, also known as an overhead kick, is when a player jumps into the air, leans backward, and, while upside down, kicks the ball over his head. Pelé repeated it several times throughout his career, giving proof not only of his athleticism but also of good timing and excellent technical ability.
Probably one of the most celebrated bicycle kicks he ever performed happens in several matches, but more often, it is remembered in photos and videos of graceful and precise execution. Pelé did not invent the bicycle kick; instead, he popularized the move and etched it forever into the list of the most thrilling moves in football.
Retirement from Football
Pele retired from international football in 1971, after an utterly sparkling career with the Brazilian national team. He continued playing club football, including a stint with the New York Cosmos, but fully retired in 1977. Even while in retirement, he became an icon.
Pele’s Influence on Global Football
In fact, Pele’s impact on international football, especially in those areas where the sport is still a minority, can be seen, even in the country of birth of its people, like the United States. He personified sportsmanship and humility, regardless of being on or off the playing field. He made a hero out of every young boy, both in Brazil and around the world.
Pele’s Most Famous Quotes
Pele was not only known for his incredible footballing talent but also for his wisdom and reflections on life, football, and success. Here are some of Pele’s most famous quotes:
On Football and Success
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
“Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string.”
“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”
“Football is the beautiful game.”
On Teamwork
“No individual can win a game by himself.”
“A team is not made up of isolated individuals, each with his own characteristics, but it is a collective group with the same aim: to win.”
On Legacy and Life
“I don’t believe there is such a thing as a ‘born’ soccer player. Perhaps you are born with certain skills and talents, but quite frankly it seems impossible to me that you were born to be an ace soccer player.”
“Everything is practice.”
On His World Cup Experience
“There is always someone out there getting better than you by training harder than you.”
“When you play against dirty players or very tough players, it’s easy to escape because you know what they want to do.”
Pele’s Work as a Football Ambassador
Pele became a global ambassador to football after retirement. Instead of fading into obscurity, he used his name to raise support and promote football and worked with organizations such as UNICEF to increase awareness about the rights of children and to ensure education. His charity work for various causes made him more unforgettable off the field.
Personal Life and Charity Work
Post-football life has elapsed long enough for Pele to donate much of it to charity and good causes. He supported countless organizations focusing on children, poverty elimination, and education, among others, through his fame that can touch people’s lives anywhere on the globe.
Conclusion: Pele’s Legacy in Football
There is no one like Pele in the history of football. He set records, won World Cups, and presented an extraordinary rise of the game towards all the corners of the world. Pele remains the greatest of all time. Football excellence is his name, and his influence continues to inspire even greater generations in the future.
Some Famous Quotes about Pele
Pele was admired not only by fans but also by fellow footballers, coaches, and other public figures. Here are some famous quotes from others about Pele:
Quotes from Fellow Footballers and Coaches
Diego Maradona
“It is impossible to surpass Pele. He is the best in the world, and for me, Pele will always be the king of football.”
Michel Platini
“There’s Pele the man, and then Pele the player. And to play like Pele is to play like God.”
Johan Cruyff
“Pele was the most complete player I’ve ever seen. He had everything. Two good feet, magic in the air, quick, powerful, could beat people with skill, could outrun people. He was the best in the world.”
Bobby Charlton
“Pele was the most complete player I’ve ever seen. He had everything. Two good feet, magic in the air, quick, powerful, could beat people with skill, could outrun people. He was the best in the world.”
Franz Beckenbauer
“Pele is the greatest player of all time. He reigned supreme for 20 years. There’s no one to compare with him.”
Romario
“Pele is the greatest footballer of all time. He played in a time when defenders could hit strikers the whole game, and he scored over 1,000 goals. Pele is a myth.”
“When you talk about the best, you need to talk about Pele. When he was playing, he was the best player in the world.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
“Pele is the greatest player in football history, and there will only be one Pele.”
Quotes from Public Figures
Nelson Mandela
“To watch him play was to watch the delight of a child combined with the extraordinary grace of a man in full.”
FAQs
Who is the best: Pelé or Messi?
Subjective: Where Pelé was remembered for his complete play and three World Cup wins, the great Messi had tamed hearts through his technical plays apart from one big prize: the 2022 World Cup. Both are regarded as footballing legends.
What is Pelé famous for?
Pelé is famous for being one of the greatest football players of all time, winning 3 FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and scoring over 1,000 career goals.
Who is better: Pelé or Maradona?
Each one of the three legends has his way of telling the great game; it’s all a matter of personal preference. In the case of Pelé, one remembers on consistency, longevity, and victories in the World Cup. In the case of Maradona, it is more about exceptional skill, such as the “Hand of God” and the leadership aspect to bring home the trophy and so win the 1986 World Cup.
What trophies has Pelé won?
Pelé won 3 FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and multiple domestic titles with Santos, including 6 Brazilian championships and 2 Copa Libertadores.
