Pele, full name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He was born in Tres Coracoes, Brazil on October 23, 1940, and began his professional career at the age of 16 with Santos FC in Brazil. Pele’s exceptional talent on the field quickly earned him recognition, and he helped lead Santos to two consecutive Campeonato Paulista (the top league in Sao Paulo state) championships in 1958 and 1959.
In 1960, Pele and Santos embarked on a world tour, playing against top teams from Europe, South America, and the United States. The tour was a huge success and Pele’s reputation as a global soccer superstar was solidified.
In 1962, Pele helped lead Brazil to its first-ever World Cup victory, scoring two goals in the final match against Czechoslovakia. He went on to lead Brazil to World Cup victories in 1970 and is the only player to have scored in four World Cup finals. He was voted the best player of the century in 2000 by International Football Federation (FIFA).
Pele’s success on the field was matched by his impact off the field. He was a global ambassador for the sport and used his platform to promote peace and unity through soccer. He also used his wealth and fame to support various charitable causes, including the Pele Foundation, which focuses on providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Brazil. A movie was also made after him which was named “Pele: Birth of a Legend” and released in 2016.
Pele retired from professional soccer in 1977 but remained active in the sport as a coach and ambassador. He was inducted into the Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame and the International Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Pele passed away on 29th December 2022, but his impact on the sport both on and off the field will be remembered for generations to come. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.