Net worth | $100 million |
---|---|
Full Name | Edson Arantes do Nascimento |
Nickname | Pelé |
Date of Birth | October 23, 1940 |
Place of Birth | Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
Date of Death | December 29, 2022 |
Place of Death | São Paulo, Brazil |
Nationality | Brazilian |
Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
Ethnicity | Black |
Religion | Catholicism |
Occupation | Professional Football (Soccer) Player |
Playing Position | Forward |
Professional Career | 1956-1977 |
Clubs | Santos FC (1956-1974), New York Cosmos (1975-1977) |
International Career | 1957-1971 |
National Team | Brazil |
Introduction
Imagine a world where grace met power, agility danced with precision, and every strike of the ball seemed orchestrated by the gods of football themselves. Enter Pelé, the Brazilian wizard of the pitch, whose name became synonymous with the beautiful game. With a career that reads like a symphony of victories, Pelé’s legacy transcends the boundaries of time and space, etching itself into the annals of sporting history.
Revered as a maestro of the sport, his breathtaking 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including exhilarating friendlies, stand tall as a testament to his unparalleled mastery. A beacon of inspiration for generations, his artistry wasn’t just confined to the grass but also resonated in the hearts of millions worldwide. From the favelas of Brazil to the grandest stadiums across the globe, Pelé’s journey embodies the essence of football’s magic, eternally weaving its spell on the tapestry of human imagination.
Early Life and Education
Picture a young boy, born into the sun-kissed lands of Três Corações, Brazil, with dreams as grand as the sprawling Amazon itself. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, fondly known as Pelé, came into this world on October 23, 1940, cradled by the hopes of a football-loving lineage. His father, Dondinho, a skilled footballer, and his resilient mother, Celeste Arantes, nurtured their son in the embrace of modest means and unwavering passion.
In the heart of poverty in Bauru, São Paulo, where the melody of lack hummed alongside the rhythm of resilience, Pelé’s journey unfolded. With a spirit ignited by his father’s teachings, he found solace in the makeshift tools of his trade—a sock crammed with newspapers, a grapefruit, and anything that resembled a ball became his gateway to the world of football. From the dusty playgrounds to the neighborhood clubs like Sete de Setembro and Ameriquinha, he honed his craft, weaving magic with every touch.
Amidst this bustling backdrop, Pelé’s spirit blazed brighter, finding its way to the pulsating heart of the game through an emerging phenomenon—indoor football. Guided by his relentless determination, he propelled his team, Radium, to glory, etching his mark on the first-ever futsal championship in the region. The echoes of those triumphs would soon reverberate far beyond the confines of Bauru, heralding the rise of a prodigy destined to leave an indelible imprint on the tapestry of the beautiful game.
Career and Work
Career and Work | |
International Career With Brazil | |
1958 World Cup | Second best player of the tournament |
1959 South American Championship | Top scorer |
1962 World Cup | Got Injured |
1966 World Cup | The most famous footballer in the world |
1970 World Cup | National team’s top goalscorer |
Club Career | |
Santos FC | |
1956–1962 | Campeonato Paulista |
1962–1965 | Copa Libertadores tournament success |
1965–1974 | Scored 1,000th with the club |
New York Cosmos | |
1974-1977 | Played at New York Cosmos |
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador |
Former Minister of Sports of Brazil |
Net Worth
Year | Net Worth |
2020 | $100 million |
Family and Relationship
Relation | Name/Info |
Father | Dondinho |
Mother | Celeste Arantes |
Siblings | 2 |
Spouse | Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (1966-1982), Assíria Lemos Seixas (1994-2008), Marcia Aoki (m. 2016) |
Children | 7 |
Achievements and Awards
Year | Achievements and Awards |
1957-1973 | Campeonato Paulista Top Scorer |
1958 | FIFA World Cup Best Young Player |
1958 | FIFA World Cup Silver Ball |
1958-1970 | France Football’s Ballon d’Or |
1959 | South American Championship Best Player |
1959 | South American Championship Top Scorer |
1961 | Gol de Placa |
1961-1964 | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Top Scorer |
1962-1963 | Intercontinental Cup Top Scorer |
1963 | Torneio Rio-São Paulo Top Scorer |
1965 | Copa Libertadores Top Scorer |
1970 | BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year |
1970 | Bola de Prata |
1970 | FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (Best Player) |
1973 | South American Footballer of the Year |
1976 | NASL Top Assist Provider |
1976 | NASL Most Valuable Player |
1978 | International Peace Award |
1981 | Sports Champion of the Century, by L’Équipe |
1984 | FIFA Order of Merit |
1993 | Elected Goodwill Ambassador |
1994 | Winner of France Football’s World Cup Top-100 |
1997 | Marca Leyenda |
1998 | World Team of the 20th Century |
1999 | Football Player of the Century |
1999 | One of the 100 Most Important Persons of the 20th century |
1999 | Greatest Player of the 20th Century |
1999 | Athlete of the Century |
1999 | Athlete of the Century |
2000 | World Player of the Century |
2000 | South American player of the century |
2000 | FIFA Player of the Century |
2000 | Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award |
2004 | FIFA Centennial Award |
2004 | FIFA 100 Greatest Living Footballers |
2005 | BBC: Sports Personality of the Year |
2006 | Elected best Brazilian player of the century |
2007 | FIFA Presidential Award |
2013 | FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur |
2013 | World Soccer Greatest XI of All Time |
2013 | Legends of Football Award |
2015 | South America’s Best Player in History |
2017 | Inspiration Award |
2018 | Global Citizen Award |
2018 | FWA Tribute Award |
2020 | Ballon d’Or Dream Team |
2021 | IFFHS All-time Men’s Dream Team |
2022 | Player of History Award |
2022 | FIFA Best Special Award |
Other Achievements and Awards |
Second-most goals for Brazil |
Highest goals-per-game ratio for Brazil |
Most goals in the Intercontinental Cup |
Most goals for Santos |
Most goals for Santos |
Most appearances for Santos |
Most goals scored in Campeonato Paulista history |
Most seasons as Campeonato Paulista Top Scorer |
Guinness World Record: Most career goals in world football |
Guinness World Record: Most hat-tricks in world football |
Most hat-tricks for Brazil |
Most FIFA World Cup winners’ medals |
Youngest winner of a FIFA World Cup |
Youngest goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup |
Youngest Top Scorer in the Campeonato Paulista |
Most assists in the history of FIFA World Cup |
Quick Facts
- Pelé’s real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, which was given to him by his childhood friends.
- Pelé’s Santos team played a friendly match in Nigeria during the Nigerian Civil War.
- Pelé served as Brazil’s Minister of Sport for a brief period, offering several infrastructure and opportunities for young athletes.
- Pelé never won the Ballon d’Or, an annual award given to the best European footballer.
FAQs
Q: What is Pelé’s real name?
A: Pelé’s real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but he loved to be called by his nickname.
Q: How many World Cups did Pelé win?
A: Pelé won three FIFA World Cups with the Brazilian national team in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
Q: How many goals did Pelé score in his career?
A: Pelé scored 1281 goals in 1363 games, including unofficial matches. He has the record for most career goals by Guinness World Record.
Q: Is Pelé considered the greatest footballer of all time?
A: Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, alongside players like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.