Pelé

Pelé

1940-10-23 – 2022-12-29 (age 82) Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Biography

Edson Arantes do Nascimento (born 23 October 1940 – 29 December 2022), known as Pelé, was a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled "the greatest" by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century. In 1999 he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century. His total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.

Pelé began playing for Santos at age 15 and the Brazil national team at 16. During his international career, he won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to do so. Pelé is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games. At club level he is Santos' all-time top goalscorer with 643 goals from 659 games. In a golden era for Santos, he led the club to the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores, and to the 1962 and 1963 Intercontinental Cup. Credited with connecting the phrase "The Beautiful Game" with football, Pelé's "electrifying play and penchant for spectacular goals" made him a star around the world, and his teams toured internationally in order to take full advantage of his popularity. During his playing days, Pelé was for a period the best-paid athlete in the world. Since retiring in 1977, Pelé has been a worldwide ambassador for football and has made many acting and commercial ventures. In 2010, he was named the Honorary President of the New York Cosmos.

Averaging almost a goal per game throughout his career, Pelé was adept at striking the ball with either foot in addition to anticipating his opponents' movements on the field. While predominantly a striker, he could also drop deep and take on a playmaking role, providing assists with his vision and passing ability, and he would also use his dribbling skills to go past opponents. In Brazil, he is hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in football and for his outspoken support of policies that improve the social conditions of the poor. His emergence at the 1958 World Cup where he became the first black global sporting star was a source of inspiration. Throughout his career and in his retirement, Pelé received several individual and team awards for his performance in the field, his record-breaking achievements, and legacy in the sport.

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Photos

Known For

Pelé: Birth of a Legend
Escape to Victory
Escape to Victory

1981

as Cpl. Luis Fernandez, Brazil

El Sabalé
El Sabalé

2014

as Él mismo

The Referee
The Referee

2010

as Self

Conspiracy '58
Conspiracy '58

2002

as Self (archive footage)

A Marcha
A Marcha

1972

as Chico Bondade

VM-krönika 1994
VM-krönika 1994

1994

as Self (archive footage)

Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish

2025

as Self (archive footage)

Puntapié
Puntapié

2020

as Self

Mexiko - WM im Schatten der Kartelle
Mexiko - WM im Schatten der Kartelle

2026

as Self (Archive Footage)

Pedro Mico
Pelé
Pelé

2021

as Self

Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona

2019

as Self (archive footage)

Nasser & the Ticket
Written in the Stars
Written in the Stars

2023

as Self (archive footage)

Hotshot
Hotshot

1987

as Santos

L'Âge d'or de la pub
L'Âge d'or de la pub

2023

as Self (archive footage)

Subterrâneos do Futebol