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, Brazil. He is the son of footballer João Ramos do Nascimento ("Dondinho") and Celeste Arantes. His family faced financial hardship, and Pelé worked various jobs from a young age to support them. Pelé grew up in economic hardship. When his family moved to the city of Bauru in the state of São Paulo, Pelé contributed to his family by doing small jobs such as shoe polishing and tea service.

His interest in football began with street games. His father’s passion for football was one of the first influences that shaped Pelé’s career. Initially known by the nickname "Dico", he later adopted the name "Pelé". He played football mostly with balls made by stuffing newspapers into socks.

He began his amateur football career with the youth team of Bauru Athletic Club. His coach, former Brazilian international footballer Waldemar de Brito, 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 on 7 September 1956 at the age of 15 wearing the Santos jersey. He delivered an impressive performance in his first match and quickly drew attention. Within a short time he became one of the team’s most important players. Over 19 years with Santos, he achieved countless successes, scoring a total of 643 official goals. 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 State League, a feat that earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team at just 16 years of age.

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 Benfica, the 1962 European champions, is still remembered as one of the most dominant individual performances in football history.

During this period, Pelé became the world’s most recognized and most watched athlete. Through international matches and tours, he won the admiration of 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 matches 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 and attracted 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 in 1957 with a goal against Argentina. His greatest breakthrough came at the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Still only 17 years old, he scored two goals in the final against Sweden. He finished the tournament with six goals, making a lasting impression 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 suffered severe fouls during the tournament, and Brazil was eliminated in the group stage.
• The 1970 World Cup was held in Mexico. This tournament marked the peak of Pelé’s national team career. Brazil won the title with 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 football career, Pelé moved to the United States in 1975 and signed with the New York Cosmos, becoming the face of the NASL league’s promotion campaign. At a time when football had little popularity in the US, he played a major role in popularizing the sport.
• 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 clubs.

• After retiring from football, Pelé became a globally recognized brand. He served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, UNICEF supporter, and Brazilian Minister of Sports (1995–1998). He led campaigns against corruption in sports and for children’s education.
• In 1999, he was named the 20th century’s greatest athlete by the International Olympic Committee and was listed among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the 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),
• French Légion d’Honneur (Knight’s Cross),
• United Nations UNESCO Peace Ambassador title,
• Brazilian Sports Order of Merit,
• Honorary British Knighthood (honorary title from the United Kingdom),
• FIFA Honorary Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur),
• 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 the famous Brazilian television presenter Xuxa. In 1994, he married Assíria Nascimento, with whom he had twin children: Joshua and Celeste. In 2016, he married Marcia Aoki in his third marriage.

After retiring from football, Pelé actively participated in initiatives with international organizations such as UNICEF and UNESCO on children’s rights and education. He also contributed to 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 players in football history. His playing style, intelligence on the field, and goal-scoring ability have inspired generations of footballers. Known as the “King of Football,” Pelé’s legacy continues to be celebrated by football fans worldwide.

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• Nickname: “Black Pearl”
• Unbroken Record: Pelé’s father Dondinho set a record by scoring five headed goals in a single match. Pelé never broke this record during his career.
• Unforgettable Moment: During the Nigerian civil war in 1967, a 48-hour ceasefire was declared so Pelé could play a match in Lagos.
• Modern Football Moves: Pelé was among the first players to perform many of the iconic football moves now recognized today.
• Film: A biographical film titled “Pelé: Birth of a Legend” was released in 2016.

Pelé’s Amazing Moments at the 1958 World Cup, TRT Archive, YouTube

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