Pelé Autograph

Profession:
(1940-2022) Brazilian retired professional footballer. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled "the greatest" by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century.

Year of Birth: 1940

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on October 23, 1940, Pelé’s career spanned over two decades, during which he scored over 1000 goals in various leagues, tournaments and friendlies. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, and is the only player to have won three FIFA World Cups.

Pelé began playing football at a young age, joining his local club at the age of 10. He soon earned a reputation as a promising young player, and in 1956, he joined the Brazilian club Santos, where he made his professional debut. His playing style, which combined technical ability with an eye for goal, soon earned him acclaim from fans and the media. In 1958, he scored his first goal for Santos, and went on to lead the team to two consecutive Campeonato Paulista titles in 1961 and 1962.

In 1958, Pelé became the youngest player to ever play in the FIFA World Cup, at the age of 17. He scored his first World Cup goal in the same tournament, and went on to help Brazil win their first ever title. He was also part of the 1962 and 1970 World Cup winning teams. He scored some memorable goals in the tournaments, which included a hat-trick in the 1958 final and a spectacular bicycle kick in the 1970 final.

In addition to his success in international football, Pelé also had a successful club career. He played for Santos for 18 years before moving to the New York Cosmos in 1975. He went on to win the NASL championship with the Cosmos in 1977. After retiring from football in 1977, he was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and also served as a spokesman for various companies. In 1994, he was inducted into the Brazilian Football Hall of Fame.

Pelé is also renowned for his humanitarian work. In 2000, he was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has since worked to promote the rights of children in Brazil and other countries. He has also established a number of football academies in Brazil, which aim to provide young people with the opportunity to fulfil their potential. In 2009, Pelé was appointed a global ambassador for the World Cup, a role he continues to serve in.

Pelé’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time is undisputed. He was the first player to be named a ‘national treasure’ in Brazil, and has been voted the World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. He continues to be an inspiration for footballers around the world, and is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.