Introduction: A brief overview of Pelé

Pele, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is a Brazilian soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Born on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil, he started playing football at an early age. Pele signed with his first professional team, Santos FC, at the age of 15, and quickly became known for his impressive skills and talent on the field. He led Santos to numerous victories in the Brazilian League and the Copa Libertadores, and also played a key role in leading the Brazilian national team to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Throughout his career, Pele scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, which is a record that remains unchanged. It still stands today. He is the only player to win 3 World Cup titles, and he is also the first player to score 1,000 professional goals. Pelé's influence on football extends far beyond his individual accomplishments, as he is credited with helping to popularize the sport on a global scale and bring it to a wider audience. He is remembered as a true legend of the game, and his legacy will be felt for generations to come. PELE passed away on December 29, 2022


Early Career :

Pelé began playing soccer at a young age and quickly gained recognition for his impressive skill and talent on the field. At age 15, he was signed to his first professional team, Santos FC, where he began his rise to fame. In his early career, Pelé played a key role in leading Santos to numerous victories in the Brazilian league and the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.
During this time, Pelé developed a reputation as one of the best players in the world, and his skill and charisma on the field made him a beloved figure in Brazil and beyond. He was known for his impressive goals, his speed and agility, and his ability to make his teammates better. Pelé's success with Santos helped to establish him as one of the premier players in the world, and set the stage for his future success with the Brazilian national team.
In addition to his achievements on the field, Pelé was known for his sportsmanship and his positive attitude. He was a role model for aspiring soccer players, and his popularity and influence extended far beyond the world of soccer.

World Cup Success :

Pelé's success with the Brazilian national team was a major highlight of his career, and he played a key role in leading the team to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Pelé made his World Cup debut in 1958 at the age of 17, and played a key role in helping Brazil win its first ever World Cup title. He scored a total of six goals in the tournament, including two in the final match against Sweden, and was named the best young player of the tournament.
In 1962, Pelé helped lead Brazil to its second World Cup title, scoring two goals in the final match against Czechoslovakia. Pelé's performance in the tournament was widely praised, and he was named the best player of the tournament.
Pelé's third and final World Cup title came in 1970, when he helped lead Brazil to victory over Italy in the final match. Pelé's performance in the tournament was once again impressive, and he was widely regarded as the best player in the world. He played a key role in helping Brazil win its third World Cup title, and cemented his place as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Throughout his career, Pelé's performances in the World Cup were a major highlight of his career, and he is widely remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the tournament. His skill, charisma, and sportsmanship on the field made him a beloved figure, and his contributions to Brazil's three World Cup titles will always be remembered and celebrated.

Off-field activities : 

In addition to his impressive career on the field, Pelé was known for his popularity and influence off the field. He was a global superstar, and his charisma and positive attitude made him a beloved figure around the world.
After retiring from professional soccer in 1977, Pelé remained active in the sport in various ways. He served as a coach and team owner, and also worked as a television commentator and soccer ambassador. In these roles, Pelé used his platform to promote the sport of soccer and to inspire aspiring soccer players around the world.
In addition to his work in soccer, Pelé was also active in philanthropy, supporting various causes including children's education and the fight against HIV/AIDS. He used his influence to advocate for social issues and to make a positive impact on the world. Pelé's work off the field helped to further cement his reputation as a role model and a true legend of the game.

Legacy :

Pelé's legacy in soccer is truly enduring, and his impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come. Throughout his career, Pelé achieved numerous individual accomplishments, including scoring a total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, a record that still stands today. He is the only player to have won three World Cup titles, and is also the first player to score 1,000 professional goals. These achievements, along with his skill, charisma, and sportsmanship on the field, have helped to establish Pelé as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
In addition to his individual achievements, Pelé's impact on soccer extends beyond his own career. He is credited with helping to popularize the sport on a global scale and bringing it to a wider audience. His skill and charisma on the field made him a beloved figure and a role model for countless aspiring soccer players around the world. Pelé's influence on the sport has been truly enduring, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Today, Pelé is remembered as a true legend of the game, and his enduring reputation as a role model and a pioneer of modern soccer is well-deserved. His contributions to the sport have been immeasurable, and his legacy will always be celebrated and remembered.

Pele's Achievements :

Here is a comprehensive list of Pelé's major achievements and accolades:


  • Scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, a record that still stands today.
  • Won three World Cup titles with the Brazilian national team in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
  • Named the best player of the 1958, 1962, and 1970 World Cups.
  • Named the "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.
  • Named the Brazilian Footballer of the Century in 1999 by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
  • Named one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century by Time magazine in 1999.
  • Awarded the Golden Foot in 2004, an annual award given to outstanding soccer players who have achieved success both on and off the field.
  • Named an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1997.
  • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in 1994.
  • Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1994.
  • Scored the first ever goal in the World Cup by a Brazilian player.
  • Awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy, the predecessor to the World Cup trophy, in 1970.
  • Named South American Footballer of the Year in 1958, 1961, 1964, 1967, 1970, and 1973.
  • Won the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition, with Santos FC in 1962 and 1963.
  • Won the Intercontinental Cup with Santos FC in 1962 and 1963.
  • Scored his 1,000th professional goal in 1969, becoming the first player to reach this milestone.
  • Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1998.
  • Won the Campeonato Paulista, the top professional league in São Paulo, with Santos FC in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, and 1969.
  • Won the Taça Brasil, the national championship of Brazil, with Santos FC in 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965.
  • Awarded the Order of Sports Merit, the highest sports honor in Brazil, in 1971.
  • Named FIFA World Cup All-Time Team in 1994.
  • Named one of the 125 greatest living soccer players by FIFA in 2004.
  • Named one of the 100 greatest living geniuses by the Guinness World Records in 2014.
  • Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
  • Named one of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century by ESPN in 1999.
  • Named one of the 100 greatest soccer players of all time by The Guardian in 2013.
  • Inducted into the Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame in 2011.
  • Awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honor given by the International Olympic Committee, in 2015.