Edson Arantes do Nascimento famously known as Pele, was one of the greatest, most successful and popular athletes of all time, with a career that spanned over 20 years in football. He was named Athlete of the Century and was voted Athlete player of the century, by the International Olympic Committee and International Federation of Football History & Statistics respectively. On top of that he won the FIFA player of the century alongside Diego Maradona. Pele also holds a Guinness World Record for ... moreEdson Arantes do Nascimento famously known as Pele, was one of the greatest, most successful and popular athletes of all time, with a career that spanned over 20 years in football. He was named Athlete of the Century and was voted Athlete player of the century, by the International Olympic Committee and International Federation of Football History & Statistics respectively. On top of that he won the FIFA player of the century alongside Diego Maradona. Pele also holds a Guinness World Record for scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games.
Pele was born in Três Corações, Brazil to footballer Dondinho who was also his trainer. At age 15 he was already playing for the football club Santos and became the top goal scorer in the league at 16. At 17 he joined Brazil’s International team, making him one of the youngest footballers to play in FIFA World Cup. He is also the only player who has won three FIFA World cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pele has over 40 titles and awards including being part of the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century.
