1995
Pelé
Pelé in childhood
Pelé in his early years
Pelé in childhood
Pelé in his early years
1965
Pelé as a footballer of Santos FC
1974
Pelé in action
Pelé
1970
Mexico
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the World Cup Finals in Mexico, poses wearing a New York Cosmos shirt and holding a ball.
1970
New York Cosmos' Pelé #10 walks across the field.
1977
Kolkata, India
Pelé playing for the New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan.
Pelé of the New York Cosmos in action during an American Soccer League match.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
17-year-old Pelé cries on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar after Brazil won the 1958 World Cup Final.
1958
Rasunda Stadium, Solna Municipality, Sweden
Brazilian forwards Vava and Pelé (number 10) enter a melee in front of the French goal during the World Cup semi-final at Rasunda Stadium.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
Pelé (right) of Brazil and Kalle Svensson (left) of Sweden compete for the same ball during the FIFA World Cup Final.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
Brazil's Pelé shoots as he is challenged by a Swedish defender during the FIFA World Cup Final.
1958
Pelé in action
1960
Eric Perssons väg 31, 217 62 Malmö
Pelé dribbling past a defender while playing for Brazil in Malmö, Sweden.
1963
Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milano MI, Italy
From left to right: Italian defender Giovanni Trapattoni opposed to Brazilian forward Pelé during a friendly match between Italy and Brazil.
1963
United Kingdom
Pelé of Santos and the Brazil national team pictured heading a ball during a training session in England on April 22, 1963.
1963
Brazilian footballer Pelé, training for Brazil's match against England.
1963
Pelé is pictured at a training session.
1963
Pelé played the role of a stand-in goalkeeper during a training session in 1963.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé takes a shot for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center, in yellow) controls the ball for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé takes a shot for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center, in yellow jersey) on the ball for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé on the ball for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament on July 12, 1966.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center) jumps as he is tackled during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center) falls to the ground after a tackle during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center, in yellow jersey) takes a shot for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (right) in action for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament. Brazil went on to win the game 2-0.
1966
Pelé in training for a forthcoming match between Brazil and Portugal
1966
United Kingdom
Pelé in action during practice prior to the World Cup competition.
1970
Pelé raises his arms as he celebrates his captain Carlos Alberto's fourth goal with teammate Jairzinho (right) as Italian goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi lies beaten on the ground during the match.
1970
Pelé celebrates after scoring the game's opening goal in the nineteenth minute past Italian goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi.
1970
Mexico
England goalkeeper Gordon Banks makes his spectacular save from a "goalbound" header from Brazil's Pelé during the World Cup Finals, pushing the ball down into the ground and over the bar.
1970
Pelé and other footballers in action
1970
Praça Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, 1 - Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05653-070, Brazil
Brazilian footballer Pelé playing against Bulgaria at Morumbi Stadium.
1970
Guadalajara, Mexico
The Brazil team line up during the 1970 World Cup Finals as they listen to the National Anthems before their Group Three match. Back row (from left to right): Captain Carlos Alberto, Brito, Piazza, Felix, Clodoaldo, and Everaldo. Front row (from left to right): Jairzinho, Rivelino, Tostao, Pelé, and Paulo Cesar Lima.
1970
Mexico City, Mexico
Brazil's Tostao (left) and Pelé celebrate the fourth goal scored by captain Carlos Alberto to seal their historic win.
Pelé shows off his six domestic championship medals at a Brazilian football confederation event recognizing the previous incarnations of the national championships in Rio de Janeiro.
1970
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico, holds the Jules Rimet trophy.
1997
Westminster, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Pelé shows off his Knight Commander of the British Empire awarded to him by the Queen at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
2000
Rome, Italy
Pelé holds the FIFA Player of the Century Award he received from FIFA President Joseph Blatter during a gala, in Rome on December 11, 2000.
2004
Pelé, receiving the FIFA Order of Merit.
2005
Pelé holding the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
2016
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Pelé waves after being decorated with an Olympic Order Medal at Pelé Museum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 16, 2016.
In 1969, Pelé was made Commander of the Order of Rio Branco.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
17-year-old Pelé cries on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar after Brazil won the 1958 World Cup Final.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
Brazil's Pelé celebrating after the 1958 FIFA World Cup final.
1958
Rasunda Stadium, Solna Municipality, Sweden
Brazilian forwards Vava and Pelé (number 10) enter a melee in front of the French goal during the World Cup semi-final at Rasunda Stadium.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
Pelé (left) shakes hands with King of Sweden Gustav VI Adolf before the FIFA World Cup Final against Sweden.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
Pelé (right) of Brazil and Kalle Svensson (left) of Sweden compete for the same ball during the FIFA World Cup Final.
1958
Solna Municipality, Sweden
Brazil's Pelé shoots as he is challenged by a Swedish defender during the FIFA World Cup Final.
1958
Pelé in action
1960
Eric Perssons väg 31, 217 62 Malmö
Pelé dribbling past a defender while playing for Brazil in Malmö, Sweden.
1960
Brazilian footballer Pelé shakes hands with American politician Robert F. Kennedy.
1961
Pelé of Brazil and Santos wears his sash as his club becomes the Sao Paulo champion.
1961
21-year-old Pelé
1962
Netherlands
Pelé with Santos FC in the Netherlands
1962
Pelé on the front cover of the sports magazine Revista do Esporte
1962
Brazilian footballer Pelé posed on right with Garrincha, both wearing Brazil national team uniform.
1963
Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milano MI, Italy
From left to right: Italian defender Giovanni Trapattoni opposed to Brazilian forward Pelé during a friendly match between Italy and Brazil.
1963
United Kingdom
Pelé of Santos and the Brazil national team pictured heading a ball during a training session in England on April 22, 1963.
1963
Brazilian footballer Pelé, training for Brazil's match against England.
1963
Pelé poses with a football.
1963
Pelé is pictured at a training session.
1963
Pelé played the role of a stand-in goalkeeper during a training session in 1963.
1965
Pelé as a footballer of Santos FC
1965
Brazilian footballer Pelé posed holding a football next to a goal.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé takes a shot for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center, in yellow) controls the ball for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé takes a shot for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center, in yellow jersey) on the ball for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé on the ball for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament on July 12, 1966.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center) jumps as he is tackled during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center) falls to the ground after a tackle during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Bolton, United Kingdom
A young fan approaches Pelé for an autograph while he is training in the pouring rain in Bolton in preparation for Brazil's match against Portugal.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (center, in yellow jersey) takes a shot for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament.
1966
Goodison Rd, Liverpool L4 4EL, United Kingdom
Pelé (right) in action for Brazil during a group stage match against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, during the 1966 World Cup tournament. Brazil went on to win the game 2-0.
1966
Pelé in training for a forthcoming match between Brazil and Portugal
1966
United Kingdom
Pelé in action during practice prior to the World Cup competition.
1969
Brazil postage stamp commemorating Pelé's landmark 1,000th goal
1969
Brazilian footballer Pelé wearing a wreath while celebrating with his team Santos FC.
1969
Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Portão 3 - Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20271-130, Brazil
Pelé is lifted up by his Santos teammates after scoring the 1,000th goal of his career during a game against Vasco da Gama at Maracana Stadium.
1970
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico, holds the Jules Rimet trophy.
1970
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico, kisses the Jules Rimet trophy.
1970
Mexico
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the 1970 World Cup Finals.
1970
Pelé raises his arms as he celebrates his captain Carlos Alberto's fourth goal with teammate Jairzinho (right) as Italian goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi lies beaten on the ground during the match.
1970
Pelé celebrates after scoring the game's opening goal in the nineteenth minute past Italian goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi.
1970
Calz. de Tlalpan 3465, Sta. Úrsula Coapa, Coyoacán, 04650 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Pelé embraces Brazilian goalkeeper Ado at the Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City, after Brazil beat Italy 4-1 to win the World Cup.
1970
Mexico
England goalkeeper Gordon Banks makes his spectacular save from a "goalbound" header from Brazil's Pelé during the World Cup Finals, pushing the ball down into the ground and over the bar.
1970
Pelé and other footballers in action
1970
Praça Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, 1 - Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05653-070, Brazil
Brazilian footballer Pelé playing against Bulgaria at Morumbi Stadium.
1970
Guadalajara, Mexico
The Brazil team line up during the 1970 World Cup Finals as they listen to the National Anthems before their Group Three match. Back row (from left to right): Captain Carlos Alberto, Brito, Piazza, Felix, Clodoaldo, and Everaldo. Front row (from left to right): Jairzinho, Rivelino, Tostao, Pelé, and Paulo Cesar Lima.
1970
Calz. de Tlalpan 3465, Sta. Úrsula Coapa, Coyoacán, 04650 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Pelé holds aloft the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy to thousands of fans at the Estadio Azteca after Brazil defeated Italy in the World Cup Final.
1970
Mexico
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the World Cup Finals in Mexico, poses wearing a New York Cosmos shirt and holding a ball.
1970
Mexico
Pelé, one of the stars of the victorious Brazil team of the World Cup Finals, relaxes by the swimming pool in his hotel whilst playing the guitar.
1970
Mexico City, Mexico
Brazil's Tostao (left) and Pelé celebrate the fourth goal scored by captain Carlos Alberto to seal their historic win.
1970
New York Cosmos' Pelé #10 walks across the field.
1970
Calz. de Tlalpan 3465, Sta. Úrsula Coapa, Coyoacán, 04650 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Brazil's Pelé is ecstatic at the end of the match during the 1970 World Cup Final as he is stripped and mobbed by jubilant fans.
1970
Pelé
1973
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
Pelé signing a football for then President of the United States Richard Nixon at the White House, two years before joining the New York Cosmos.
1974
Pelé in action
1977
Pelé during his last game as a footballer
1977
Kolkata, India
Pelé playing for the New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan.
1977
Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Pelé retires from the New York Cosmos in Rutherford, New Jersey.
1978
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
George Best presents Pelé with a plaque commemorating the Brazilian as the best soccer player in the world during Pelé Appreciation Day at the Rose Bowl stadium.
1980
Pelé of Brazil in action during training
1980
Pelé of Brazil in action during training
1982
Paris, France
Pelé of Brazil scores the equalizing goal for the Allied POWs during the match against Germany in Paris featured in the filming of "Escape to Victory." The match ended in a 4-4 draw.
1986
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
Pelé at the White House on September 10, 1986, with then-President of the United States Ronald Reagan and then-President of Brazil José Sarney.
1997
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Pelé and then-President of the United States Bill Clinton
1997
Westminster, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Pelé shows off his Knight Commander of the British Empire awarded to him by the Queen at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
2000
London, United Kingdom
Pelé during an AXA photocall in London
2000
Rome, Italy
Pelé holds the FIFA Player of the Century Award he received from FIFA President Joseph Blatter during a gala, in Rome on December 11, 2000.
2004
Pelé, receiving the FIFA Order of Merit.
2005
Pelé holding the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
2006
Davos, Switzerland
Pelé at the World Economic Forum
2007
Bramall Ln, Highfield, Sheffield S2 4SU, United Kingdom
Pelé attends a photocall at Sheffield United FC's Bramhall Lane stadium.
2008
Pelé and Mário Zagallo
2014
Rua Princesa Isabel, S/N, Vila Belmiro, Santos - SP, 11075-501, Brazil
Pelé poses during a visit at stadium Vila Belmiro.
2014
Rua Princesa Isabel, S/N, Vila Belmiro, Santos - SP, 11075-501, Brazil
Pelé poses during a visit at stadium Vila Belmiro.
2015
Melbourne, Australia
Pelé holds a replica of the World Cup trophy during a press conference at the Peninsula.
2016
London, United Kingdom
Pelé poses for a photo
2016
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Pelé waves after being decorated with an Olympic Order Medal at Pelé Museum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 16, 2016.
2017
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Pelé with Vladimir Putin at the opening of the Confederations Cup.
2017
Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, United Kingdom
Pelé at the Savoy Hotel before his attendance at the GQ Men of the Years Awards.
2017
Football al., 1, St. Petersburg, Russia, 197110
Pelé talks with FIFA president Gianni Infantino prior to the FIFA Confederations Cup Group A match between Russia and New Zealand at Saint Petersburg Stadium (now Krestovsky Stadium).
2018
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hublot brand ambassador Pelé poses wearing the Classic Fusion Chronograph as he attends the Hublot Match of Friendship at the Dubai Opera Hanging Garden.
Pelé poses with a football.
Pelé
Pelé poses for a photo.
Pelé wearing the Cosmos' No. 10. The number was retired in his honor.
A practicing Catholic, Pelé donated a signed jersey to Pope Francis. Accompanied by a signed football from Ronaldo, it is located in one of the Vatican Museums.
Pelé, the famous Brazilian football player, celebrating his 1000th goal in front of the triumphant number formed by footballs.
Pelé
Pelé during a photo session
Pelé
Pelé is photographed with the Jules Rimet Trophy.
Pelé, surrounded by his fans
Pelé
Pelé in his early years
Pelé
Pelé, celebrating a victory.
Pelé
Pelé of the New York Cosmos in action during an American Soccer League match.
Pelé in childhood
Pelé in his early years
Pelé in childhood
Pelé in his early years
Pelé shows off his six domestic championship medals at a Brazilian football confederation event recognizing the previous incarnations of the national championships in Rio de Janeiro.
In 1969, Pelé was made Commander of the Order of Rio Branco.
1944
João Ramos do Nascimento, Pelé's father
1966
Pelé and Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, his ex-spouse
2014
Xuxa, Pelé's ex-partner
Pelé and Celeste Arantes, his mother
Assíria Lemos Seixas, Pelé's ex-spouse
Kelly Christina Nascimento-DeLuca, Pelé's daughter
Edson Cholbi Nascimento, Pelé's son
Pelé and Marcia Aoki, his wife
Joshua Nascimento, Pelé's son
Flávia Kurtz, Pelé's daughter
(The book traces Pelé's life from his Brazilian boyhood, t...)
The book traces Pelé's life from his Brazilian boyhood, touching upon his first soccer experiences, his family life, his World Cup games, his decision to join the New York Cosmos, and his reign as the world's highest-paid team athlete.
https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Beautiful-Game-Autobiography/dp/1602391963
1977
(By turns addictive, moving and enlightening, this is the ...)
By turns addictive, moving and enlightening, this is the ultimate story of the rise of a star and an amazing testimony to how even the lowliest of society's people can reach the dizzying heights of worldwide adoration and success.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416511210/?tag=2022091-20
2006
(In Why Soccer Matters, Pelé details his ambitious goals f...)
In Why Soccer Matters, Pelé details his ambitious goals for the future of the sport and, by extension, the world.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451468759/?tag=2022091-20
2014
(As allied P.O.W.s prepare for a soccer game against the G...)
As allied P.O.W.s prepare for a soccer game against the German National Team to be played in Nazi-occupied Paris, the French Resistance and British officers are making plans for the team's escape.
https://www.amazon.com/Victory-Sylvester-Stallone/dp/B0071I78HC
1981
(A group of orphans and their guardian get together to try...)
A group of orphans and their guardian get together to try to save their orphanage.
https://www.amazon.com/Minor-Miracle-1983-John-Huston/dp/B01GUOWKLQ
1983
(The manager of England's national football unexpectedly s...)
The manager of England's national football unexpectedly succumbs to a heart attack, and suddenly the search is on for a replacement.
https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Bassett-England-Ricky-Tomlinson/dp/B07C2CVHZD
2001
Pelé was born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil; the son of João Ramos do Nascimento, nicknamed Dondinho, who was a Brazilian football centre forward player, and Celeste Arantes. Pelé was the elder of two siblings.
Originally nicknamed Dico by his family, his friends started calling him Pelé because of his pronunciation of the name of his favorite player, goalkeeper Bilé.
When Pelé was a boy, he moved with his family to the city of Bauru. He earned extra money by working in tea shops as a servant. He also cleaned shoes at the local train station.
Pelé received his early lessons in soccer from his father and played for various amateur teams in his youth. Despite the fact, that he grew up in poverty, he developed a rudimentary talent for soccer by kicking a rolled-up sock stuffed with rags around the streets of Bauru.
As an adolescent, Pelé joined a youth squad coached by Waldemar de Brito, a former member of the Brazilian national soccer team. De Brito eventually convinced Pelé's family to let the budding phenom leave home and try out for the Santos professional soccer club when he was 15.
In 2012, Pelé was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh for "significant contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements."
Pelé's father's coaching paid off, for when he was 11, he played for his first soccer team, that of the town of Bauru, Brazil. He moved up in competition with outstanding play and, when he was 15, he was playing for the team from the village of Santos. He soon received broader exposure, when he was loaned to the Vasco da Gama team in Rio de Janeiro.
In 1958, he went to Stockholm, Sweden, to compete in the World Cup championship. His play there helped his country win its first title. He returned to Santos, and his team went on to win six Brazilian titles. In 1962, he again played on the World Cup team, but an injury forced him to sit out the contest.
Soccer is a low scoring game, but on November 19, 1969, before a crowd of 100,000 in Rio de Janeiro, Pelé scored his 1,000th goal. He was not only a high scorer, but a master of ball handling as well. It seemed that the ball was somehow attached to his feet as he moved down the field.
In 1970, Pelé again played for Brazil's World Cup team, and in Mexico City, they beat Italy for the championship. It was Pelé's play, both in scoring and in setting up other goals, that won them the title. When he announced that he would retire from international competition after a game to be played on July 18, 1971, plans were made to televise the event throughout the world. He had scored a total of 1,086 goals. After his retirement, he continued to play until he was signed to play for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League for a reported three-year, $7 million contract. A year later, New York was at the top of their division, and, in 1977, the Cosmos won the league championship. Pelé retired for good after that victory, but continued to be active in sports circles, becoming a commentator and promoter of soccer in the United States. When the World Cup came to Detroit in 1994, Pelé was there, capturing the hearts of millions of fans around the world. In January of 1995, he was elected Minister of Sports in his home country of Brazil.
In addition to his accomplishments in sports, he published several best-selling autobiographies and starred in several successful documentary and semi-documentary films. He also composed numerous musical pieces, including the soundtrack for the film Pelé (1977).
Pelé is a renowned retired footballer, who played as a forward. He competed for the Santos FC, the New York Cosmos and the Brazil national football team. Pelé combined kicking power and accuracy with a remarkable ability to anticipate other players' moves.
In 1958, 1962, and 1970, Pelé contributed to the Brazilian national team's victory at the World Cup championships.
After the 1958 World Cup, Pelé was declared a national treasure by the Brazilian government in order to ward off large offers from European clubs and ensure that he would remain in Brazil.
During his time with the Santos Football Club, the team won nine Sao Paulo league championships and, in 1962 and 1963, both the Libertadores Cup and the Intercontinental Club Cup.
Pelé's electrifying play and penchant for spectacular goals made him a star around the world. His team Santos toured internationally in order to take full advantage of his popularity. In 1967, he and his team traveled to Nigeria, where a 48-hour cease-fire in that nation's civil war was called to allow all to watch the great player.
It's also worth noting, that Pelé was the recipient of the International Peace Award in 1978. In 1980, he was named Athlete of the Century by the French sports publication L'Equipe, and he received the same honor in 1999 from the International Olympic Committee.
For his impressive line-up of victories and the extraordinary role in catapulting the status of the sport to newer heights, Pelé received numerous other prestigious honors and decorations, including Brazil's Gold Medal, Commander of the Order of Rio Branco, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the Cross of the Order of the Republic of Hungary, the Order of Merit of South America, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, among many others.
Pelé holds numerous personal records, including that of an all-time leading goalscorer (77 goals - 95 goals, including unofficial friendlies), all-time South American leading international goalscorer (77 goals), Santos' all-time leading goalscorer (643 goals in 656 competitive games), Intercontinental Cup's all-time leading goalscorer (7 goals) and others.
In addition, he set several records, that were put into Guinness World Records, including the record for most career goals (football) - 1283 goals in 1363 games, most FIFA World Cup winners' medals - three, as well as the youngest winner of a FIFA World Cup - 17 years and 249 days in 1958 FIFA World Cup.
(The book traces Pelé's life from his Brazilian boyhood, t...)
1977(By turns addictive, moving and enlightening, this is the ...)
2006(In Why Soccer Matters, Pelé details his ambitious goals f...)
2014(The manager of England's national football unexpectedly s...)
2001(A group of orphans and their guardian get together to try...)
1983(As allied P.O.W.s prepare for a soccer game against the G...)
1981Pelé is just about as religious as it gets, and it started from the beginning. He said he came from a "very religious" family. And he doesn't miss an opportunity to talk about his faith. He likes talking about how his talent was God-given, how God's hand was in play on the pitch, and even how his nickname was a gift from the Man Upstairs.
Being a Roman Catholic, Pelé even had the honor of meeting several Popes.
Pelé's devotion to God and the church cannot be questioned. He once said: "All my life I thank God."
Pelé's political influence goes far beyond the typical celebrity. His status as a megastar athlete, which he has held for many decades, means he's had audiences with all sorts of powerful political players across the globe. He's danced the tango with former American President Bill Clinton, he's been knighted by the Queen of England, and he says in 1958, when he met the King of Sweden, it was the first time a picture was ever taken of the royal Swede shaking hands with a black man.
His work on the international stage has included several ambassadorships for the United Nations, including Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). But he's been especially active in his own country's political scene.
In 1995, he was appointed as Minister of Sports by former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. From his position, he passed the "Pelé Law," which attempted to curb corruption in national football and succeeded in giving players more power over their careers. Corruption is a theme in Brazilian politics, and Pelé is still concerned about how it might turn away potential international investors. But he thought that former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was doing a good job to clean things up. In 2012, he said: "She has been in power just under a year, and she has already gotten rid of six ministers. This is the first time in the history of Brazil that so many politicians have been ousted from government for corruption. The fight must continue."
In addition to corruption, Pelé has encountered more than his share of racism throughout his career. And even though he thinks he had a role in improving the image of black people across the globe, these days he downplays the existence of racism in soccer, even saying there is none. He laments the fact that minor incidents are now highly publicized. He said: "Today, because of the cameras, they give more emphasis to [racist behavior]. It's a shame. Things that were not too important, today have become very important."
It's also worth noting, that Pelé was investigated by the Brazilian military dictatorship for suspected leftist sympathies in 1970. He was investigated after being handed a manifesto calling for the release of political prisoners. In 1976, Pelé took part in a Pepsi-sponsored trip in Lagos, Nigeria, when that year's attempted military coup took place.
In June 2013, the former footballer was criticized in public opinion for his conservative views.
According to CNN, Pelé has been a spokesman for Viagra.
Quotations:
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."
"Football is the only sport where you put people together, it doesn't matter if you are rich, or poor, or black, or white. It is one nation. This is the beauty of football."
"There is always someone out there getting better than you by training harder than you."
"A penalty is a cowardly way to score."
"I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'born' soccer player. Perhaps you are born with certain skills and talents, but quite frankly it seems impossible to me that one is actually born to be an ace soccer player."
"The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning."
"People argue between Pele or Maradona. Di Stéfano is the best, much more complete."
In 2010, Pelé was made the Honorary President of the New York Cosmos.
Pelé is known for frequently referring to himself in the third person.
Pelé was named after Thomas Edison, an American inventor and businessman.
Physical Characteristics:
Pelé is 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) tall.
In 1977, it was reported by Brazilian media, that the athlete had his right kidney removed. Later, in November 2012, Pelé underwent a successful hip operation. In 2019, after a hospitalization because of a urinary tract infection, Pelé underwent surgery to remove kidney stones. In February 2020, Pelé's son, Edinho, reported that his father was unable to walk independently and reluctant to leave home. Pelé's poor condition was ascribed to a lack of rehabilitation after his hip operation.
Quotes from others about the person
Franz Beckenbauer: "Pelé is the greatest player of all time. He reigned supreme for 20 years. All the others - Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini - rank beneath him. There's no one to compare with Pelé."
Andy Warhol: "Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries."
Ronald Reagan: "My name is Ronald Reagan, I'm the President of the United States of America. But you don't need to introduce yourself, because everyone knows who Pelé is."
Cristiano Ronaldo: "Pelé is the greatest player in football history, and there would only be one Pelé in the world."
Zico: "This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There's only one possible answer: Pelé. He's the greatest player of all time, and by some distance, I might add."
During his lifetime, Pelé was married three times. Besides, he had several affairs and fathered several children.
In 1966, Pelé married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. Their marriage produced three children - two daughters - Kelly Cristina and Jennifer - and one son - Edson. In 1982, Pelé and Rosemeri divorced.
During the period from 1981 to 1986, Pelé was in a relationship with TV presenter Xuxa. Their relationships contributed to the launching of Xuxa's career. Xuxa was only 17-year-old when they started to date.
In 1994, Pelé married psychologist and gospel singer Assíria Lemos Seixas. She gave birth to twins, Joshua and Celeste, on September 28, 1996. Assíria and Pelé parted their ways in 2008.
In 2016, Pelé married his third wife - Marcia Aoki.
Pelé's other children, born during his former relationships, include Sandra Machado (however, Pelé never acknowledged her even after her death in 2006), and Flávia Kurtz.
João Ramos do Nascimento, nicknamed Dondinho (October 2, 1917 - November 16, 1996), was a Brazilian football centre forward player.
Marcia Aoki is a Japanese-Brazilian importer of medical equipment from Penápolis, São Paulo.
Xuxa, in full Maria da Graça Xuxa Meneghel (born March 27, 1963) is a Brazilian television host, film actress, singer, model and businesswoman.
Assíria Lemos Seixas (born February 1, 1960) is a psychologist and gospel singer.
(born January 13, 1967)
(born 1978)
Edson Cholbi Nascimento or Edinho (born August 27, 1970) is a Brazilian retired footballer.
(born September 28, 1996)
(born September 28, 1996)
(d. 2006)
