Pele

About

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He began his professional career at Santos FC at the age of 15 and quickly rose to international prominence with the Brazilian national team at 16. Pelé's incredible skill, speed, and goal-scoring ability made him a global icon, earning him the nickname "O Rei" (The King) after the 1958 World Cup. Pelé won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970, a feat no other player has achieved. He scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil and was Santos's all-time leading scorer with 643 goals. Pelé's impact extended beyond football; he was a cultural ambassador and a symbol of Brazilian pride. He played for the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977, helping popularize football in the United States. Pelé was named Athlete of the Century in 1999 and passed away on December 29, 2022, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of football.