Pelé Autograph

Profession:
(1940-) Brazilian retired professional footballer

Year of Birth: 1940

Pelé is a Brazilian retired professional footballer and one of the most iconic figures in the history of the sport. He is considered to be the greatest player of all time and is the only player to have won three FIFA World Cups. Pelé is also one of the most recognizable sports figures in the world and was named the Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.

Pelé was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on 23 October 1940 in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil. His parents were Dondinho, a former footballer, and Celeste Arantes. He was the eldest of two siblings. Pelé's nickname "Pelé" was given to him by his father, who thought it was a good name for a child.

At the age of 15, Pelé signed his first professional contract with Santos. He scored his first goal for the club in his debut match and went on to become the club's all-time leading scorer with 643 goals in 656 appearances. He helped the club win two Campeonato Paulista championships and two Copa Libertadores.

In addition to his club career, Pelé was also an integral part of the Brazilian national team, helping them win three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He was the tournament's top scorer in 1958 and 1970 and was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament in 1970. He also scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for the national team.

After retiring from professional football in 1977, Pelé has remained an active figure in the sport. He has served as an ambassador for the sport, promoting the game and its values around the world. He has also been involved in various charitable and commercial ventures. He was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1994 and was appointed a Brazilian Minister of Sport in 1995.

Pelé's legacy in the sport has been honored in many ways. He was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named a Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2013. He has also been honored with numerous awards, including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Order of Rio Branco, and the Order of the Southern Cross.