Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was born on 23 October 1940 in the town of Três Corações, in the state of Minas Gerais, Tiëquia. He is the son of footballer João Ramos do Nascimento (“Dondinho”) and Celeste Arantes. His family faced financial hardship, and Pelé took on various jobs from a young age to support them. He grew up in economic hardship. When the family moved to the city of Bauru in the state of São Paulo, Pelé contributed to his family by working as a shoe polisher and delivering tea services like small.

His interest in football began with street matches. His father’s passion for the sport was one of the earliest influences on Pelé’s career. Initially known by the nickname “Dico”, he later adopted the name “Pelé”. He often played with balls made by stuffing newspapers into socks.

He began his formal football career with the youth team of Bauru Athletic Club. Former national footballer Waldemar de Brito, who was Koçu, recognized Pelé’s extraordinary talent and brought him to Santos FC at the age of 15, where the foundations of his professional career were laid.

Pelé

Pelé made his professional debut for Santos on 7 September 1956 at the age of 15. He delivered an impressive performance in his first match, drawing widespread attention. Within a short time, he became one of the team’s most prominent players. Over 19 years with Santos, he achieved countless successes, scoring a total of 643 official goals for the club. With Santos, he won six Brazilian league titles, two Copa Libertadores titles, and two Intercontinental Cups. At the end of the 1957 season, he became the top scorer in the São Paulo Province League. This achievement earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team at the age of 16.

Pelé’s time at Santos is regarded as one of the golden eras of club football. Under his leadership, the team won six Brazilian championships, two Copa Libertadores titles (1962, 1963), and two Intercontinental Cups. His hat-trick against 1962 European Champions Benfica is still remembered as one of the most dominant individual performances in football history.

During this period, Pelé became the most recognized and widely watched athlete in the world. Through international matches and tours, he gained admiration from football fans beyond Brazil.

Pelé and Awards

In 1975, Pelé signed with the New York Cosmos, contributing significantly to the popularization of football in the United States. He scored 37 goals in 64 appearances for the Cosmos. He retired from football in 1977.

Pele. Photo: Bettmann Archive

Pelé scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for the Brazilian national team. He won the FIFA World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970. In 1958, at the age of 17, he scored two goals in the final against Sweden, capturing global attention. In the 1970 World Cup, he emerged as the team’s leader and was named the tournament’s best player.

• Total Official Matches: 812
• Total Official Goals: 757
• Total Goals Including Unofficial Matches: 1,283

Pelé began his international career with a goal against Argentina in 1957. His greatest breakthrough came at the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Still only 17, he scored two goals in the final against Sweden and finished the tournament with six goals, announcing himself on the world stage.

• At the 1962 World Cup, he suffered an injury during the group stage, but Brazil still won the trophy.
• The 1966 World Cup was held in England. Pelé was subjected to severe fouls throughout the tournament, and Brazil was eliminated in the group stage.
• The 1970 World Cup took place in Mexico. This tournament marked the peak of Pelé’s national team career. Brazil won the title with what is considered one of the greatest squads in history. Pelé scored one goal and provided two assists in the final against Italy, becoming the only player to win three World Cups.
• He scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for the national team.

Years in the USA and the Globalization of Football (1975–1977):

• In the final years of his playing career, Pelé moved to the United States in 1975 and signed with the New York Cosmos, becoming the face of the North American football league NASL. He played a major role in popularizing football in the United States, where interest in the sport was then limited.
• He scored 37 goals in 64 matches for the Cosmos. In 1977, in a special match between New York Cosmos and Santos FC, he bid a symbolic farewell to his career by wearing the jerseys of both teams.

• After retiring from football, Pelé became a globally recognized brand. He served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, a UNICEF supporter, and Brazilian Minister of Sports (1995–1998). He actively campaigned against corruption in sports and promoted children’s education.
• In 1999, he was named the greatest athlete of the 20th century by the International Olympic Committee. He was also listed among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
• Pelé’s life was the subject of biographical films such as “Pelé: Birth of a Legend” (2016).

• FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur (2014)
• FIFA Player of the Century (1999)
• BBC Sports Personality of the Century (1999)
• Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award (2000)
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1970)
• Brazilian Order of Merit (1967)
• Guinness World Records Certificate (most hat-tricks)
• IOC Athlete of the Century (1999)

• Brazilian Order of Merit (Ordem do Mérito)
• France’s Légion d’Honneur (Knight’s Cross)
• United Nations UNESCO Ambassador for Peace
• Brazilian Sports Merit Order
• Honorary British Knighthood
• FIFA Honorary Ballon d’Or
• United Nations Human Rights Honor Award (1977)
• Honorary Doctorates from various universities

• Brazil 5–2 Sweden, 29 June 1958 (1958 World Cup Final)
• Brazil 3–1 Czechoslovakia, 17 June 1962 (1962 World Cup Final)
• Brazil 4–1 Italy, 21 June 1970 (1970 World Cup Final)
• Santos 5–2 Benfica, 11 October 1962 (Intercontinental Cup Final)
• Santos 4–2 Milan, 16 November 1963 (Intercontinental Cup Replay)
• New York Cosmos 2–1 Santos, 1 October 1977 (Pelé’s farewell match)

Pelé married three times and had seven children. He married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in 1966, with whom he had three children: Kelly Cristina, Edson (“Edinho”), and Jennifer. In 1981, he had a relationship with Brazilian television presenter Xuxa. In 1994, he married Assíria Nascimento, with whom he had twin children: Joshua and Celeste. He married Marcia Aoki in 2016 for his third marriage.

In his post-football years, Pelé actively participated in initiatives with international organizations such as UNICEF and UNESCO, advocating for children’s rights and education. He also took part in various projects in Brazil aimed at developing sports and supporting young talent.

In 2021, Pelé was diagnosed with colon cancer. After a prolonged treatment process, he passed away on 29 December 2022 in São Paulo. His death was met with widespread grief around the world and was honored with deep respect by the global football community.

Pelé is regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. His style of play, intelligence on the field, and goal-scoring ability have inspired generations of players. Revered as the “King of Football”, Pelé’s legacy continues to be celebrated by football fans worldwide.

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• Nickname: “The Black Pearl”
• Unbroken Record: Pelé’s father, Dondinho, set a record by scoring five headed goals in a single match. Pelé never surpassed this record during his career.
• Unforgettable Moment: In 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War, a 48-hour ceasefire was declared so Pelé could play a match in Lagos.
• Modern Football Movements: Pelé was among the first players to popularize many of the iconic football moves seen today.
• Film: The biographical film “Pelé: Birth of a Legend” was released in 2016.

The 1958 World Cup, in which Pelé created wonders, TRT Archive, YouTube

Pele - Top 10 Impossible Goals Ever, Sports 360, YouTube