The Brazilian football legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento popularly known as Pele, who died on Thursday aged 82, was regarded as the game’s greatest player.
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The legend was born in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais on October 23, 1940.
However, during his school days, he was given a nickname because of his mispronunciation of the name of his favorite player, Bilé. His friends began to refer to him as Pele.
In his autobiography, Pele stated that the name has no meaning and merely originates from the word ‘Bile.’
Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.
The Brazilian is the only footballer in history to win three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He Became the youngest-ever player to win the FIFA World Cup trophy at 17, a record that still stands.
Pele Scored 757 goals in 812 official matches for club and country, a record that stood for decades until Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed his tally.
FIFA disclosed that Pele scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,366 matches.
He Netted 77 goals in 92 official matches for Brazil. Pele scored 12 goals in World Cups.
He Registered six assists at Mexico 1970 – a record for one World Cup.
Pele Scored 92 hat-tricks across official and unofficial games.
He Scored 127 goals for Santos in 1959, thought to be the most goals scored by a club player in one calendar year.
He Finished as Santos’ top scorer with 643 goals in 659 competitive matches.
The football legend won Brazil’s Serie A six times with Santos (1961-1965 and 1968).
He Led Santos to two Copa Libertadores titles (1962 and 1963).
Brazilian football legend, Pele, who died on Thursday aged 82, was regarded as the game’s greatest player.
Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.
The Brazilian is the only footballer in history to win three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He Became the youngest-ever player to win the FIFA World Cup trophy at 17, a record that still stands.
Pele Scored 757 goals in 812 official matches for club and country, a record that stood for decades until Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed his tally.
FIFA disclosed that Pele scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,366 matches.
He Netted 77 goals in 92 official matches for Brazil. Pele scored 12 goals in World Cups.
He Registered six assists at Mexico 1970 – a record for one World Cup.
Pele Scored 92 hat-tricks across official and unofficial games.
He Scored 127 goals for Santos in 1959, thought to be the most goals scored by a club player in one calendar year.
He Finished as Santos’ top scorer with 643 goals in 659 competitive matches.
The football legend won Brazil’s Serie A six times with Santos (1961-1965 and 1968).
He Led Santos to two Copa Libertadores titles (1962 and 1963).
