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Pelé’s Early Years
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His father struggled to earn a living as asoccer player, so Pelé grew up in poverty. Unable to afford a real soccer ball, he kicked around a rolled-up sock stuffed with rags – demonstrating his talents early on.
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Pelé’s Nickname
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Although widelyrecognized as Pelé, the soccer player’s birth name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento. His parents named him after inventor Thomas Edison (minus the “i”).
“I can remember the name really bugged me at first. I was really proud that I was named after Thomas Edison and wanted to be called Edson,” Pelé toldThe Guardian. “Now I love the name - but back then it wound me up no end.”
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Pelé’s First Professional Contract
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In 1956, he signed his first contract with Santos – earning only $10 a month. He practiced alongside the team’s regulars, and scored his first professional goal before age 16!
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Pelé’s First World Cup Win
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Although he didn’t make an appearance on the field until the third group-play match against the Soviet Union, he made his mark from that game on – particularly in the semifinal against France, in which he scored three goals from his left side against the second best team in the tournament.
After scoring two goals in the final against Sweden, he led the Brazilian team in becoming officially recognized as the best in the world.
05of 16Pelé Declared a National TreasureIBL/ShutterstockPelé is both figuratively and literally a national treasure of Brazil: In 1961, Brazilian President Jânio Quadros officially declared him one following his 1958 World Cup successes. This was done in an effort to prevent him from being traded to foreign countries, as the rising star was now in high demand.“I had several proposals to play in Europe. For Real Madrid, for AC Milan, for Bayern Munich,” Pelé toldEsquirein 2016. “But at that time, we didn’t have too many Brazilian players outside the country. I was very happy at my team, Santos. I didn’t have the desire to play outside the country.”
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Pelé Declared a National Treasure
Pelé is both figuratively and literally a national treasure of Brazil: In 1961, Brazilian President Jânio Quadros officially declared him one following his 1958 World Cup successes. This was done in an effort to prevent him from being traded to foreign countries, as the rising star was now in high demand.
“I had several proposals to play in Europe. For Real Madrid, for AC Milan, for Bayern Munich,” Pelé toldEsquirein 2016. “But at that time, we didn’t have too many Brazilian players outside the country. I was very happy at my team, Santos. I didn’t have the desire to play outside the country.”
06of 16Pelé’s Second World Cup WinCentral Press/Hulton Archive/GettyRepresenting Brazil, Pelé was injured in the second group match against Czechoslovakia during the 1962World Cup. Although Pelé sat out for the remainder of the tournament due to a thigh muscle tear, his team went on to win the whole thing. This marked Pelé’s second World Cup win.
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Pelé’s Second World Cup Win
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Representing Brazil, Pelé was injured in the second group match against Czechoslovakia during the 1962World Cup. Although Pelé sat out for the remainder of the tournament due to a thigh muscle tear, his team went on to win the whole thing. This marked Pelé’s second World Cup win.
07of 16Pelé’s Backwards Bicycle KickAP/ShutterstockPelé performed this maneuver during a 1968 match between Brazil and Belgium and its popularity took off.“The bicycle kick is not easy to do. I scored 1,283 goals, and only two or three were bicycle kicks,” Pelé wrote in his bookWhy Soccer Matters.
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Pelé’s Backwards Bicycle Kick
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Pelé performed this maneuver during a 1968 match between Brazil and Belgium and its popularity took off.
“The bicycle kick is not easy to do. I scored 1,283 goals, and only two or three were bicycle kicks,” Pelé wrote in his bookWhy Soccer Matters.
08of 16Pelé’s 1000th Professional GoalPictorial Parade/Archive Photos/GettyA major milestone was reached for the athlete on Nov. 19, 1969 when he scored his 1000th professional goal at the Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.This feat was accomplished during a penalty kick for Santos against Vasco da Gama. The stadium erupted with thousands of cheers and roars, even though Santos was the opposing team.
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Pelé’s 1000th Professional Goal
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A major milestone was reached for the athlete on Nov. 19, 1969 when he scored his 1000th professional goal at the Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.
This feat was accomplished during a penalty kick for Santos against Vasco da Gama. The stadium erupted with thousands of cheers and roars, even though Santos was the opposing team.
09of 16Pelé Scores Brazil’s 100th World Cup GoalHorstmüller/ullstein bild/GettyHistory was made for Brazil during the 1970 World Cup final against Italy, in what would mark Brazil’s third world title. In a game tied 0-0, Pelé headed the ball in the net, scoring the team’s 100thWorld Cupgoal.Filled with joy, Péle ran towards teammate Jairzinho for a celebratory victory jump. Smiling wide and pumping his fist in the air, this goes down as one of the greatest moments in World Cup history.
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Pelé Scores Brazil’s 100th World Cup Goal
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History was made for Brazil during the 1970 World Cup final against Italy, in what would mark Brazil’s third world title. In a game tied 0-0, Pelé headed the ball in the net, scoring the team’s 100thWorld Cupgoal.
Filled with joy, Péle ran towards teammate Jairzinho for a celebratory victory jump. Smiling wide and pumping his fist in the air, this goes down as one of the greatest moments in World Cup history.
10of 16Pelé’s Final GamePeter Robinson/EMPICS/GettyPelé left it all on the field during his final professional game played in Oct. 1977, and he did so in an untraditional way. During an exhibition match played between the New York Cosmos andSantos F.C., Pelé spent time playing for both team during the game.The crowd was filled with 77,000 spectators, including Muhammad Ali, at New Jersey’sGiants Stadium. The first half of the game he played with the Santos; he then switched jerseys to the Cosmos for the back half. The Cosmos won with a final score 2-1.
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Pelé’s Final Game
Peter Robinson/EMPICS/Getty
Pelé left it all on the field during his final professional game played in Oct. 1977, and he did so in an untraditional way. During an exhibition match played between the New York Cosmos andSantos F.C., Pelé spent time playing for both team during the game.
The crowd was filled with 77,000 spectators, including Muhammad Ali, at New Jersey’sGiants Stadium. The first half of the game he played with the Santos; he then switched jerseys to the Cosmos for the back half. The Cosmos won with a final score 2-1.
11of 16Pelé’s Honorary KnighthoodREUTERS/Alamy Stock PhotoSince Pelé is not of British descent, he received anhonorary knighthoodfromQueen Elizabeth IIin 1997 due to his activism and humanitarian work. He was bestowed the titleKnight Commander of the British Empire(KBE).“It will always stay in my memory,“Pelé tweeted20 years after the ceremony. “I thank all the British people for their affection.”
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Pelé’s Honorary Knighthood
REUTERS/Alamy Stock Photo
Since Pelé is not of British descent, he received anhonorary knighthoodfromQueen Elizabeth IIin 1997 due to his activism and humanitarian work. He was bestowed the titleKnight Commander of the British Empire(KBE).
“It will always stay in my memory,“Pelé tweeted20 years after the ceremony. “I thank all the British people for their affection.”
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Despite never competing in the Olympics, theInternational Olympic Committeehonored Pelé with the prestigious “Athlete of the Century” title, along with 10 others in 1999.
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Pelé’s Friendship with Nelson Mandela
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The athlete took part in a charity soccer match to honorNelson Mandela,a close friend and inspiration to Pelé, in 2007. Titled “90 Minutes for Mandela,” the event was held to honor the late South African President’s 89th birthday.
“He was myhero, my friend, and also a companionto me in our fight for the people and for world peace,“Pelé tweetedfollowing Mandela’s 2013 death.
14of 16Pelé’s Guinness World Record AccomplishmentsChristopher Lee/GettyIn 2013,Pelé earned two Guinness World Records: The Most Career Goals and Most World Cup Wins.He scored 1,283 goals throughout his illustrious career that spanned from Sept. 7, 1956 to Oct. 1, 1977. He also is the only player in the game’s history to hold three World Cup titles.
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Pelé’s Guinness World Record Accomplishments
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In 2013,Pelé earned two Guinness World Records: The Most Career Goals and Most World Cup Wins.
He scored 1,283 goals throughout his illustrious career that spanned from Sept. 7, 1956 to Oct. 1, 1977. He also is the only player in the game’s history to hold three World Cup titles.
15of 16Pelé’s Olympic Order HonorMIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP/GettyIn 2016,IOC President Bachtraveled to Pelé’s hometown in Santos to award him with the coveted Olympic Order, the highest distinction for an athlete.“The IOC had to deliberate forsecondsto decide whether or not to award him the Olympic Order,“Bach said at the ceremony.
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Pelé’s Olympic Order Honor
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In 2016,IOC President Bachtraveled to Pelé’s hometown in Santos to award him with the coveted Olympic Order, the highest distinction for an athlete.
“The IOC had to deliberate forsecondsto decide whether or not to award him the Olympic Order,“Bach said at the ceremony.
16of 16Pelé’s Health IssuesIn the past few years, the soccer legend experienced health issues, including tumors on his colon that have required treatment. But he kept fans up to date on his health with positive messages on his social media, including this post from December 2021, in which he declared that “every little victory is a reason to celebrate.“A year later,Pelé died at age 82on Dec. 29, 2022. “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today,” read a statement on his Instagram account. “In his journey, Edson charmed everyone with his brilliance in sport, stopped a war, performed social work around the world, and spread what he most believed to be the cure to all our problems: love. Your message in life will become a legacy for generations to come.”
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Pelé’s Health Issues
In the past few years, the soccer legend experienced health issues, including tumors on his colon that have required treatment. But he kept fans up to date on his health with positive messages on his social media, including this post from December 2021, in which he declared that “every little victory is a reason to celebrate.”
A year later,Pelé died at age 82on Dec. 29, 2022. “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today,” read a statement on his Instagram account. “In his journey, Edson charmed everyone with his brilliance in sport, stopped a war, performed social work around the world, and spread what he most believed to be the cure to all our problems: love. Your message in life will become a legacy for generations to come.”
source: people.com
