About Pele
The Brazilian former professional footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, was born on October 23, 1940. His estimated net worth is $105 million. One of the finest athletes to ever play the game was Pele. He was one of the most successful and well-liked sports figures of the 20th century and was dubbed “the greatest” by FIFA.
The only player to have won three World Cups is Edison Arantes do Nascimento, who is recognized as the greatest soccer player in history.
The official Fifa ambassador spent the majority of his playing career in Brazil, where he made his national team debut at age 16 and won his first World Cup at age 17.
He was a complete player who used the ball in ways that no one had ever seen done at the professional level. Despite receiving bids from Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus, and Manchester United, he was unable to leave Brazil until the very end of his career, despite his name becoming synonymous with the “beautiful game” (jogo bonito).
Quick Facts:
- Name: Edison Arantes do Nascimento
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Date and Place of Birth: October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil
- Position: Striker
- Clubs: Santos (1956-1974), New York Cosmos (1975-1977)
- International Career: 1957-1971 (91 caps, 77 goals)
The years of Santos
He claims he didn’t get the moniker “Pele” until his school days and doesn’t know what it signifies.
Pele grew up in poverty, much like so many of his fellow compatriots. At age 15, Waldemar de Brito, a former Brazil international who he had teamed up with in the Baquinho boys’ team, gave him the recommendation to join the Santos FC youth team. Before being moved to the senior team, he would play for one season.
After scoring on his league debut against Corinthians at age 16, he rose to the position of league leader.
Pele was a genuine record-breaker who scored 127 goals for Santos in 1959, 110 in 1961, and 101 in 1965. In 1962 and 1963, he guided the team to back-to-back Copa Libertadores victories, which were preceded by two Intercontinental Cup successes.
Pele made the gol de placa in 1961. (goal worthy of a plaque). The performance versus Fluminense was thought to be so outstanding that a plaque honoring the most exquisite goal in Maracan history was commissioned.
Pele scored 1,281 goals overall in 1,363 games, helping Santos win multiple national and regional championships. From the penalty spot, he scored his 1000th against Vasco da Gama in 1969.
He left Brazilian soccer in 1972 after 17 seasons with the club, though he continued to play infrequently, frequently in demonstration games.
Brooklyn Cosmos
In 1975, Pele resumed playing to sign with the New York Cosmos. Despite being past his prime when he arrived in New York, he is credited with increasing interest in soccer in the country.
He did, however, score more than one goal each game for the team, and he ended his playing days in an exhibition game between Santos and the Cosmos.
The game was covered by 650 journalists, sold out six weeks in advance, and broadcast in 38 countries. Pele gave a speech before the game in which he urged his audience to pay attention to the youth of the globe, and Muhammad Ali gave him an embrace in the locker room.
He participated in the first half for the Cosmos, scoring an incredible 30-yard field goal, and then played for Santos in the second half.
Worldwide Career
In 1958, Pele faced Sweden in his World Cup debut at the age of 17. His goal assisted Brazil in defeating Wales in the quarterfinals after he was named to the starting lineup against the Soviet Union in the third game. With that goal, Pele became the World Cup’s youngest goal scorer at the age of 17 years and 239 days.
In a 5-2 semi-final victory over France, his second-half hat trick furthered his rising reputation. The most outstanding performance by a 17-year-old at a World Cup finals came with two more goals against the tournament hosts, Sweden, in the championship game.
Due to his flawless technique and gazelle-like pace, Pele was more than just a goal scorer.
Pele was forced to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates successfully defended their championship in Chile in 1962 due to a groin injury he sustained in the opening match of the tournament against Czechoslovakia.
In 1966, Pele was forced to leave the World Cup early due to some hard tackling by players from Portugal and Bulgaria. Brazil was eliminated in the group stage, and England won the tournament at home.
Not only was the 1970 World Cup notable for Pele’s 100th World Cup goal against Italy in Brazil’s 4-1 victory in the championship game. In contrast, Pele’s incredible header from the halfway line against Czechoslovakia caused England goalkeeper Gordon Banks to make one of the greatest saves in history.
Many critics rank that 1970 squad as the best ever, and Pele’s teammates occasionally appeared to be communicating through telepathy during their combination play.
Off the field, the Brazilian has championed several worthy causes. He has used his position as ambassador to advance his nation, the UN, and UNICEF since hanging up his boots. When Pele traveled to play in Lagos during his playing career, a cease-fire was even proclaimed in a warring Nigeria. That says everything.
The International Olympic Committee named Pelé Athlete of the Century, and Time named him one of the 100 most influential individuals of the 20th century. Pele’s net worth is projected to reach $105 million as of 2023. For his contributions to the soccer team and as an individual, Pelé has won numerous honors. He has established a legacy in the sport thanks to his record-breaking accomplishments. Pelé has acted in numerous films and commercials and served as a global ambassador for football. Guinness World Records recognize his total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes friendlies.
