Pele was a Brazilian footballer regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, the only man to win the FIFA World Cup three times as a player and a prolific goalscorer over a long career with Santos and the Brazil national team. His skill, flair and success made him a global ambassador for football and one of the most celebrated athletes of the twentieth century.
Early life in Brazil
Pele was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on 23 October 1940 in Tres Coracoes, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. He grew up in poverty and learned the game in the streets, sometimes using improvised balls, and was coached in his youth by the former player Waldemar de Brito.
De Brito brought the teenage Pele to the club Santos, where he made his debut at a very young age and quickly began scoring prolifically. By the time he was a teenager he was already a first-team regular and an emerging national talent.
Rise with Santos and Brazil
Pele was selected for the Brazil squad as a teenager and made a dramatic impact at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, scoring crucial goals as a 17-year-old, including in the final, as Brazil won the tournament. His emergence on the world stage at such a young age was a sensation.
With Santos he became the centrepiece of a hugely successful side, winning numerous state and national titles in Brazil and major club competitions in South America and intercontinental play. His scoring rate for the club was extraordinary, and Santos toured the world to capitalise on his fame, playing exhibition and friendly matches across Europe, Africa and the Americas.
His standing grew so great that his appearances became major events in their own right. A widely repeated story holds that a conflict in Africa paused to allow him to play an exhibition match, an anecdote that, whatever its precise details, illustrates the global reach of his fame at a time when few footballers were known worldwide.
Peak achievements and records
Pele won the World Cup three times with Brazil, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a unique achievement for a player. The 1970 team, in which he played a leading role, is often described as one of the greatest national sides ever assembled, and that World Cup, broadcast widely in colour, helped cement his global image.
His World Cup story spanned different stages of his career. He burst onto the scene as a teenager in 1958, was injured early in the 1962 tournament that Brazil still won, and returned at his mature peak in 1970, so that his three titles reflect both youthful brilliance and seasoned mastery rather than a single dominant spell.
Over his career he scored a remarkable number of goals for club and country. The often-cited total of around 1,000 career goals includes friendlies and exhibition matches, and exact figures vary by source, but by any measure his scoring output was among the highest the game has seen. He also holds a place among Brazil's all-time leading scorers in official internationals.
- Three-time FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970)
- Numerous titles with Santos in Brazilian, South American and intercontinental competition
- One of the highest career goalscoring totals in football history
- Among Brazil's all-time leading international goalscorers
Playing style and influence
Pele was an attacking forward known for his all-round ability: powerful and accurate finishing with both feet and his head, dribbling skill, vision and physical strength despite a relatively compact build. He was equally capable of scoring spectacular goals and creating chances for teammates.
His influence helped spread the appeal of football worldwide, and he became one of the first truly global sporting celebrities. He is frequently compared with later greats such as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona in debates over the best player of all time.
Later career, life and legacy
Late in his career Pele moved to the United States to play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League, a transfer that significantly raised the profile of the sport in North America. After retiring as a player he served as a sports minister in Brazil and worked widely as an ambassador for football and various causes.
Pele died on 29 December 2022. His legacy combines his unmatched World Cup record, his extraordinary scoring, and his role in globalising the game, and he is consistently named among the greatest footballers and athletes in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cups did Pele win?
He won the FIFA World Cup three times with Brazil, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to achieve this.
What was Pele's real name?
He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on 23 October 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil.
How many goals did Pele score?
He is often credited with around 1,000 career goals, a figure that includes friendlies and exhibition matches; exact totals vary by source, but his output was among the highest in football history.
Which club did Pele play for?
He spent most of his career with Santos in Brazil before later playing for the New York Cosmos in the United States.
How old was Pele when he won his first World Cup?
He was 17 years old at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where he scored in the final as Brazil won the title.
Why did Pele move to the United States?
He joined the New York Cosmos late in his career, a high-profile move that helped raise the popularity of football in North America.
When did Pele die?
He died on 29 December 2022.