In this article, Sports Buddy takes a look at the life of Pelé, who is regarded as the king of football by many fans.
Who is Pelé?
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best known by the nickname Pelé, was a Brazilian footballer who was a forward during his playing days.
Recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Pelé was one of the 20th century’s most successful and popular sports personalities. He passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82 years.
Pelé’s early life
Born on October 23, 1940, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, came from a humble home in Bauru, São Paulo. His father, Dondinho, who played football for Fluminense in the past, exposed him to the game. Despite having limited resources, Pelé’s family encouraged him to pursue his love of football.
Raised alongside his brother Zoca, who played football too, but not as well, Pelé was involved in a number of amateur teams during his formative years. Resilience and determination—qualities that would define his illustrious career—were ingrained in him by his childhood.
The former Santos forward excelled in futsal, a quick-paced indoor football variant. He said that playing the sport improved his capacity to make decisions and to adjust to changing circumstances. Pelé battled against adults despite his youth, showcasing his abilities and gaining the self-assurance to take on any task.
Football career
Club career
Pelé’s club career was a spectacular exhibition of both team and individual excellence. This is an overview of his career, with a particular emphasis on his years with Santos FC, the most recognizable team.
Santos (1956–1974)
Pelé made an instant impression upon joining Santos at the age of 15. After scoring in his first game, he rose to fame.
Santos was a dominant force in Brazilian football during the three-time World Cup winner’s playing days at the club. They won the São Paulo State Championship an incredible ten times.
The former Brazilian forward guided Santos to victory in the renowned Copa Libertadores (South American Championship) and also won the Intercontinental Cup, which is akin to a club world championship, in 1962 and 1963.
Pelé scored an incredible 643 goals in 659 games, which is almost equivalent to a goal every game, to become Santos’ all-time greatest scorer.
New York Cosmos (1975–1977)
Pelé joined the North American Soccer League (NASL) team, New York Cosmos. Before he retired, he guided the Cosmos to the NASL Championship in 1977.
International career
Pelé’s incredible ascent as an international player paralleled his success at his club. At barely 16 years old, he made his debut for Brazil against Argentina and scored a goal. At the age of 17, this youthful prodigy soon rose to fame, helping Brazil win its first World Cup in 1958.
He kept up his impressive play, tallying 12 goals in four World Cups to help Brazil win the prized title in 1962 and 1970. The former Santos attacker became Brazil’s all-time best scorer with 77 goals in 92 appearances—a mark that Neymar just eclipsed.
Legacy
There is more to Pelé’s legacy than just goals and titles. It tells the tale of a little impoverished child whose amazing footwork enthralled people worldwide. His grace and unrivaled talent inspired generations as he reinvented the beautiful game.
His three World Cup triumphs solidified his reputation as the all-time best player. However, Pelé’s influence extended off the field. He rose to become a global icon, a representation of brilliance and optimism, and he used his notoriety to support social issues and the expansion of sports throughout the globe.
Accolades
Winner: 1958, 1962, 1970 (Only player to win three World Cups)
Individual Awards:
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (Best Player): 1970
FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (Top Scorer): 1958, 1970
Athlete of the Century: International Olympic Committee (1999)
FIFA Athlete of the Century (Joint Award with Maradona, 1999)
Honorary Ballon d’Or (2014): Awarded retrospectively for his achievements before the Ballon d’Or’s official creation.
Guinness World Record Holder for Most Career Goals (1,283 in 1,363 games, though some dispute the exact number)
Santos FC All-Time Top Scorer (643 goals)
Personal life: Children and love life
Pelé’s death
At the age of 82, Pelé tragically passed away on December 29, 2022. He was hospitalized for several ailments and had been fighting colon cancer for a while. Tributes to him poured in from all across the world as the news of his passing shocked the athletic community and beyond.
