Pele
Brazilian forward; three-time World Cup winner; global football icon.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, universally known as Pelé, was born on 23 October 1940 and died on 29 December 2022. He played as a forward in professional football for Brazil. Considered by many to be among the finest players ever, he also ranked as one of the 20th century’s most accomplished and famous sports figures. Across 1,363 matches—including exhibition games—he scored 1,279 goals, a mark that stands as a Guinness World Record. The International Olympic Committee named him Athlete of the Century in 1999, and that same year *Time* magazine listed him among the 100 most influential people of the 1900s. In 2000, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics voted him World Player of the Century, and he shared the FIFA Player of the Century award with Diego Maradona.
Pelé joined the Brazilian club Santos at age 15 and made his debut for the national team at 16. Over his international career, he won three FIFA World Cups—1958, 1962, and 1970—making him the only player to achieve that feat and, at 17, the youngest World Cup winner. After the 1958 tournament, he earned the nickname O Rei (the King). With 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil, he held the record as the country’s all-time top scorer for more than fifty years. At the club level, he remains Santos’s leading scorer, with 643 goals in 659 games. During a golden era for Santos, he guided the team to Copa Libertadores titles in 1962 and 1963, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in those same years.
Pelé is credited with linking the phrase “The Beautiful Game” to football. His extraordinary skill and flair for spectacular goals turned him into a global celebrity, and his teams toured internationally to capitalise on his fame. For a time during his playing career, he was the highest-paid athlete in the world. After retiring in 1977, he served as a worldwide ambassador for football and pursued acting and business ventures. In 2010, he became honorary president of the New York Cosmos.
Throughout his career, Pelé averaged nearly a goal per game and could strike the ball with either foot. Although primarily a striker, he also functioned as a playmaker, using his vision and passing to set up teammates. In Brazil, he was celebrated as a national hero, both for his football achievements and for openly supporting policies aimed at helping the poor. His emergence at the 1958 World Cup as a Bla
- born
- 23 October 1940
- died
- 29 December 2022
- field
- Football (soccer)
- nationality
- Brazilian
- known_for
- Winning three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962, 1970); only player to do so; youngest World Cup winner at 17; 1,279 career goals
Lore & Background
Pelé was born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to Dondinho and Celeste Arantes. He grew up in poverty in Bauru, São Paulo, working in tea shops and playing with a grapefruit or sock stuffed with newspaper. His nickname likely originated from mispronouncing the name of his favorite player, Bilé. He played futsal as a teenager, crediting it for improving his quick thinking. At 15, he began playing for Santos FC; at 16, he debuted for Brazil. He won his first World Cup at 17 in 1958, earning the nickname O Rei (the King). He led Santos to Copa Libertadores victories in 1962 and 1963 and Intercontinental Cup wins in those same years. After retiring in 1977, he became a worldwide football ambassador and undertook acting and commercial ventures. In 2010, he was named honorary president of the New York Cosmos.
Reader's Guide
Pelé's significance lies in his unprecedented achievements and global impact. He is the only player to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and the youngest to do so at 17. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games is a Guinness World Record. He held Brazil's national team scoring record (77 goals in 92 games) for over fifty years and is Santos' all-time top scorer (643 goals in 659 games). Credited with connecting the phrase 'The Beautiful Game' to football, his skill and spectacular goals made him a global star. He was for a period the highest-paid athlete in the world. In Brazil, he was hailed as a national hero for his football accomplishments and outspoken support for policies to benefit the poor. His emergence as a Black global sporting star at the 1958 World Cup was a source of inspiration. His legacy includes numerous individual and team awards, and he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.
Did You Know?
- Pelé was named after the American inventor Thomas Edison, but an error on his birth certificate led many documents to show his name as 'Edison'.
- He played for several amateur youth teams including Sete de Setembro, Canto do Rio, São Paulinho, and Ameriquinha.
- Pelé's father, Dondinho, was a Fluminense footballer.
- In 1961, the Brazilian government declared Pelé an 'official national treasure' to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.
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