Pelé, The King of Soccer! Who was he?

Tambi Asawo
3 min readJan 27, 2023

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Pelé, also known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who is widely considered to be one of the greatest football players of all time. Born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, Pelé began playing football at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most celebrated athletes in the world.

Early Career
Pelé’s professional career began in 1956 when he signed with Santos FC, a Brazilian football club. At the time, he was just 16 years old and many doubted his ability to succeed at the professional level. However, Pelé quickly proved his critics wrong and quickly established himself as one of the top players in the league. He helped Santos FC win several league titles and became the team’s all-time leading goal scorer.

World Cup Success
In 1958, Pelé led the Brazilian national team to their first ever World Cup victory. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player to ever score in a World Cup final. He also won the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player. He would go on to lead Brazil to World Cup victories in 1962 and 1970, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

At 17, Pele conquered the world to win the first Brazilian World Cup

Skills and Legacy
Throughout his career, Pelé was known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, as well as his exceptional dribbling and passing skills. He was also known for his sportsmanship and humble attitude. He was a true ambassador of the game of football, and his impact on the sport can still be felt today.

Records and Honors
Pelé’s international career continued after the World Cup success, and he played for Santos, New York Cosmos, and Santos again before his retirement. He also played in a series of exhibition matches, as well as a charity match in which he played against his son Edinho. He’s considered one of the best player in the history of football, and his records are still a benchmark for many. Throughout his life, Pelé has received many honors and awards for his contributions to the sport of football. He was named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000 and was inducted into the International Football Hall of Fame in 2013. He also received numerous awards and accolades from his home country of Brazil, including the Order of Merit, the highest honor bestowed by the Brazilian government.

Pele being presented with Guinness World Record’s certificates for most career goals and most world cup winner medals
Guinness World Records certificates for Most Career Goals and Most World Cup Winners’ Medals.

In conclusion, Pelé is a Brazilian football legend and a true ambassador of the sport. His impact on the game of football is immeasurable and his records still remain unbroken. He’s considered by many as the greatest player of all time. He has also had a successful career after his retirement, and continues to be an inspiration to many people around the world. His career, both on and off the field, has had a profound impact on the sport of football and his legacy will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

May he Rest in Peace…

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