Difference between revisions of "Pelé" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox person <!-- SEE TALK PAGE FOR DISCUSSION —>
 
{{Infobox person <!-- SEE TALK PAGE FOR DISCUSSION —>
 
| name          = Pelé
 
| name          = Pelé
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| birth_name    = Edson Arantes do Nascimento
 
| birth_name    = Edson Arantes do Nascimento
 
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1940|10|23|mf=y}}<ref>According to Pelé, his birth certificate listed it incorrectly as October 21, 1940.</ref>
 
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1940|10|23|mf=y}}<ref>According to Pelé, his birth certificate listed it incorrectly as October 21, 1940.</ref>
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| birth_place    = [[Três Corações]], Brazil
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| birth_place    = [[Três Corações]], [[Brazil]]
 
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2022|12|29|1940|10|23|mf=y}}
 
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2022|12|29|1940|10|23|mf=y}}
 
| death_place    = [[São Paulo]], Brazil
 
| death_place    = [[São Paulo]], Brazil
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| father        = [[Dondinho]]
 
| father        = [[Dondinho]]
 
| relatives      = [[Zoca]] (brother)
 
| relatives      = [[Zoca]] (brother)
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}}
 
}}
  
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'''Edson Arantes do Nascimento''' ( (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈɛtsõ aˈɾɐ̃tʃiz du nasiˈmẽtu]; October 23, 1940 – December 29, 2022), better known by his nickname '''Pelé''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [peˈlɛ]), was a Brazilian professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the twentieth century. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes [[Exhibition game|friendlies]], is recognized as a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]].
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'''Edson Arantes do Nascimento''' (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈɛtsõ aˈɾɐ̃tʃiz du nasiˈmẽtu]; October 23, 1940 – December 29, 2022), better known by his nickname '''Pelé''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [peˈlɛ]), was a Brazilian professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the twentieth century. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes [[Exhibition game|friendlies]], is recognized as a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]].
  
 
Averaging almost a goal per game throughout his career, Pelé was adept at striking the ball with either foot in addition to anticipating his opponents' movements on the field. Credited with connecting the phrase "[[The Beautiful Game]]" with football, Pelé's electrifying play and ability to score spectacular goals made him a star around the world. After retiring in 1977, Pelé was a worldwide ambassador for football and made many acting and commercial ventures.  
 
Averaging almost a goal per game throughout his career, Pelé was adept at striking the ball with either foot in addition to anticipating his opponents' movements on the field. Credited with connecting the phrase "[[The Beautiful Game]]" with football, Pelé's electrifying play and ability to score spectacular goals made him a star around the world. After retiring in 1977, Pelé was a worldwide ambassador for football and made many acting and commercial ventures.  
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In Brazil, he was hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in football and for his outspoken support of policies that improve the social conditions of the poor. His emergence at the 1958 [[World Cup]], where he became a black global sporting star, was a source of inspiration. Throughout his career and in his retirement, Pelé received numerous individual and team awards for his performance on the field, his record-breaking achievements, and his legacy in the sport.
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In Brazil, he was hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in football and for his outspoken support of policies that improve the social conditions of the poor. His emergence at the 1958 [[World Cup]], where he became a black global sporting star, was a source of inspiration. Throughout his career and in his retirement, Pelé received numerous individual and team awards for his performance on the field, his record-breaking achievements, and his legacy in the sport which he changed forever.
  
 
==Life==
 
==Life==
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In early 2022, [[metastasis]] were detected in the intestine, lung, and liver. On November 29, he was admitted to the [[Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital]] in São Paulo due to a respiratory infection after he contracted [[COVID-19]] and for reassessment of the treatment of his colon cancer.<ref>[https://ge.globo.com/pele/noticia/2022/12/29/morre-o-rei-pele-aos-82-anos.ghtml Morre o Rei Pelé aos 82 anos] ''ge'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.</ref>
 
In early 2022, [[metastasis]] were detected in the intestine, lung, and liver. On November 29, he was admitted to the [[Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital]] in São Paulo due to a respiratory infection after he contracted [[COVID-19]] and for reassessment of the treatment of his colon cancer.<ref>[https://ge.globo.com/pele/noticia/2022/12/29/morre-o-rei-pele-aos-82-anos.ghtml Morre o Rei Pelé aos 82 anos] ''ge'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.</ref>
  
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=== Death and funeral ===
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=== Death ===
 
In December, 2022, it was reported that Pelé had become unresponsive to chemotherapy and that it was replaced with [[palliative care]]. On December 21, 2022, the [[Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital]], where Pelé was being treated, stated that his tumor had advanced and he required "greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions."<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64059854 Pele: Brazil great's cancer has advanced, says hospital] ''BBC Sport'' (December 21, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024. </ref> Therefore, he was not allowed to spend [[Christmas]] at home, as his family had wanted.  
 
In December, 2022, it was reported that Pelé had become unresponsive to chemotherapy and that it was replaced with [[palliative care]]. On December 21, 2022, the [[Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital]], where Pelé was being treated, stated that his tumor had advanced and he required "greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions."<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64059854 Pele: Brazil great's cancer has advanced, says hospital] ''BBC Sport'' (December 21, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024. </ref> Therefore, he was not allowed to spend [[Christmas]] at home, as his family had wanted.  
  
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Pelé died on December 29, 2022, at 3:27&nbsp;pm, at the age of 82, due to [[multiple organ failure]], a complication of [[colon cancer]].<ref>Michael Drummond, [https://news.sky.com/story/brazilian-football-star-pele-has-died-at-the-age-of-82-12775924 Brazilian football icon Pele has died at the age of 82] ''Sky News'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.</ref>
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Pelé died on December 29, 2022, at 3:27&nbsp;pm, at the age of 82, due to [[multiple organ failure]], a complication of [[colon cancer]].<ref>Michael Drummond, [https://news.sky.com/story/brazilian-football-star-pele-has-died-at-the-age-of-82-12775924 Brazilian football icon Pele has died at the age of 82] ''Sky News'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.</ref> Pelé was buried at the [[Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica]].<ref>Camilo Rocha, George Ramsay, Tara John, Flora Charner, and Rodrigo Pedroso, [https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/29/football/brazil-pele-soccer-died-intl-latam-spt/index.html Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at 82] ''CNN'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref>
  
 
== Club career ==
 
== Club career ==
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[[File:1958 VM-final Sverige-Brasilien.jpg|thumb|400px|17-year-old Pelé cries on the shoulder of goalkeeper [[Gylmar dos Santos Neves|Gilmar]] after Brazil won the [[1958 FIFA World Cup final|1958 World Cup final]]]]
 
[[File:1958 VM-final Sverige-Brasilien.jpg|thumb|400px|17-year-old Pelé cries on the shoulder of goalkeeper [[Gylmar dos Santos Neves|Gilmar]] after Brazil won the [[1958 FIFA World Cup final|1958 World Cup final]]]]
  
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Pelé's first goal, where he flicked the ball over a defender before [[Volley (football)|volleying]] into the corner of the net, was selected as one of the top ten best goals in the history of the World Cup.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080930212802/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=82406.html Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup™ Goal of the Century] ''FIFA'', May 30, 2002. Retrieved June 20, 2024.</ref> Following Pelé's second goal, Swedish player [[Sigvard Parling]] would later comment, "When Pelé scored the fifth goal in that Final, I have to be honest and say I felt like applauding."<ref name="Quotes"/>  
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Pelé's first goal, where he flicked the ball over a defender before [[Volley (football)|volleying]] into the corner of the net, was selected as one of the top ten best goals in the history of the World Cup.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080930212802/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=82406.html Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup™ Goal of the Century] ''FIFA'', May 30, 2002. Retrieved June 20, 2024.</ref> Following Pelé's second goal, Swedish player [[Sigvard Parling]] would later comment, "After the fifth goal, even I wanted to cheer for him."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/>  
  
 
He finished the tournament with six goals in four matches played, tied for second place, behind record-breaker [[Just Fontaine]], and was named best young player of the tournament.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150407144418/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/sweden1958/awards/index.html 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden – Awards] ''FIFA''. Retrieved June 20, 2024.</ref> His impact was arguably greater off the field, with Barney Ronay writing, "With nothing but talent to guide him, the boy from Minas Gerais became the first black global sporting superstar, and a source of genuine uplift and inspiration."<ref name="Ronay"/>
 
He finished the tournament with six goals in four matches played, tied for second place, behind record-breaker [[Just Fontaine]], and was named best young player of the tournament.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150407144418/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/sweden1958/awards/index.html 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden – Awards] ''FIFA''. Retrieved June 20, 2024.</ref> His impact was arguably greater off the field, with Barney Ronay writing, "With nothing but talent to guide him, the boy from Minas Gerais became the first black global sporting superstar, and a source of genuine uplift and inspiration."<ref name="Ronay"/>
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=== 1959 South American Championship ===
 
=== 1959 South American Championship ===
  
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Pelé also played in the [[Copa America|South American Championship]]. In the 1959 competition he was named best player of the tournament and was the top scorer with eight goals, as Brazil came second despite being unbeaten in the tournament.<ref name="Quotes"/> He scored in five of Brazil's six games, including two goals against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] and a hat-trick against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]].<ref>Martin Tabeira, [https://www.rsssf.org/tables/59-1safull.html Southamerican Championship 1959 (1st Tournament)] ''RSSSF''. Retrieved June 20, 2024.</ref>
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Pelé also played in the [[Copa America|South American Championship]]. In the 1959 competition he was named best player of the tournament and was the top scorer with eight goals, as Brazil came second despite being unbeaten in the tournament. He scored in five of Brazil's six games, including two goals against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] and a hat-trick against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]].<ref>Martin Tabeira, [https://www.rsssf.org/tables/59-1safull.html Southamerican Championship 1959 (1st Tournament)] ''RSSSF''. Retrieved June 20, 2024.</ref>
  
 
=== 1962 World Cup ===
 
=== 1962 World Cup ===
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Pelé was called to the national team in early 1969, he refused at first, but then accepted and played in six World Cup qualifying matches, scoring six goals.<ref name="internationalgoals"> Roberto Mamrud, [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/pele-intlg.html Edson Arantes do Nascimento "Pelé" – Goals in International matches] ''RSSSF'', May 23, 2004. Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref> Brazil's squad for the tournament featured major changes from the 1966 squad since players like Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Valdir Pereira, Djalma Santos, and Gilmar had already retired. However, Brazil's 1970 World Cup squad, which included Pelé, [[Rivellino|Rivelino]], [[Jairzinho]], [[Gérson]], [[Carlos Alberto Torres]], [[Tostão]], and [[Clodoaldo]], is often considered to be the greatest football team in history.<ref>Jack Bell, [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/sports/soccer/11poll.html 1970 Brazilian Soccer Team Voted Best Ever] ''The New York Times'' (July 11, 2007). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>
 
Pelé was called to the national team in early 1969, he refused at first, but then accepted and played in six World Cup qualifying matches, scoring six goals.<ref name="internationalgoals"> Roberto Mamrud, [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/pele-intlg.html Edson Arantes do Nascimento "Pelé" – Goals in International matches] ''RSSSF'', May 23, 2004. Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref> Brazil's squad for the tournament featured major changes from the 1966 squad since players like Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Valdir Pereira, Djalma Santos, and Gilmar had already retired. However, Brazil's 1970 World Cup squad, which included Pelé, [[Rivellino|Rivelino]], [[Jairzinho]], [[Gérson]], [[Carlos Alberto Torres]], [[Tostão]], and [[Clodoaldo]], is often considered to be the greatest football team in history.<ref>Jack Bell, [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/sports/soccer/11poll.html 1970 Brazilian Soccer Team Voted Best Ever] ''The New York Times'' (July 11, 2007). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>
  
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The front five of Jairzinho, Pelé, Gerson, Tostão, and Rivelino together created an attacking momentum, with Pelé having a central role in Brazil's way to the final. The group stage match again England featured the goal he didn't score: In the first half of the match, Pelé nearly scored with a header that was saved by the England goalkeeper [[Gordon Banks]]. Pelé recalled he was already shouting "Goal" when he headed the ball. It was often referred to as the "save of the century."<ref>Simon Hattenstone, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jun/30/sport.comment And God created Pelé] ''The Guardian'' (June 29, 2003). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>  
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The front five of Jairzinho, Pelé, Gerson, Tostão, and Rivelino together created an attacking momentum, with Pelé having a central role in Brazil's way to the final. The group stage match again England featured the goal he didn't score: In the first half of the match, Pelé nearly scored with a header that was saved by the England goalkeeper [[Gordon Banks]]. Pelé recalled he was already shouting "Goal" when he headed the ball. It was often referred to as the "save of the century."<ref name=Hattenstone>Simon Hattenstone, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jun/30/sport.comment And God created Pelé] ''The Guardian'' (June 29, 2003). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>  
  
 
<blockquote>"I have scored more than a thousand goals in my life and the thing people always talk to me about is the one I didn't score." — Pele on the extraordinary save by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks in their 1970 World Cup match.<ref name=BorntoPlay>Emmanuel Egobiambu, [https://www.channelstv.com/2022/12/29/born-to-play-football-top-quotes-about-brazil-legend-pele/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20have%20scored%20more%20than,my%20given%20name)%20Edson.%E2%80%9D 'Born To Play Football': Top Quotes About Brazil Legend Pele] ''Channels Television'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024. </ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>"I have scored more than a thousand goals in my life and the thing people always talk to me about is the one I didn't score." — Pele on the extraordinary save by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks in their 1970 World Cup match.<ref name=BorntoPlay>Emmanuel Egobiambu, [https://www.channelstv.com/2022/12/29/born-to-play-football-top-quotes-about-brazil-legend-pele/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20have%20scored%20more%20than,my%20given%20name)%20Edson.%E2%80%9D 'Born To Play Football': Top Quotes About Brazil Legend Pele] ''Channels Television'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024. </ref></blockquote>
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Brazil played [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in the [[1970 FIFA World Cup final|final]] at the [[Azteca Stadium]] in Mexico City. Pelé scored the opening goal with a header after out jumping Italian defender [[Tarcisio Burgnich]]. Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, Pelé's leap of joy into the arms of teammate Jairzinho in celebrating the goal is regarded as one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.<ref>[https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/coca-cola-memorable-celebrations-1-peles-iconic-leap-of-joy/blt4879de725ae7fd7e Coca-Cola Memorable Celebrations 1: Pele's Iconic Leap Of Joy After Scoring Brazil's Century Goal] ''Goal'', September 19, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>  
 
Brazil played [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in the [[1970 FIFA World Cup final|final]] at the [[Azteca Stadium]] in Mexico City. Pelé scored the opening goal with a header after out jumping Italian defender [[Tarcisio Burgnich]]. Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, Pelé's leap of joy into the arms of teammate Jairzinho in celebrating the goal is regarded as one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.<ref>[https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/coca-cola-memorable-celebrations-1-peles-iconic-leap-of-joy/blt4879de725ae7fd7e Coca-Cola Memorable Celebrations 1: Pele's Iconic Leap Of Joy After Scoring Brazil's Century Goal] ''Goal'', September 19, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>  
  
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The last goal of the game is often considered the greatest team goal of all time because it involved all but two of the team's outfield players. The play culminated after Pelé made a blind pass that went into Carlos Alberto's running trajectory. He came running from behind and struck the ball to score.<ref>Andrew Benson, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/brazil/4759831.stm The perfect goal] ''BBC Sport'' (June 2, 2006). Retrieved June 21, 2024. </ref> Brazil won the match 4–1, keeping the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy#Jules Rimet Trophy|Jules Rimet Trophy]] indefinitely, and Pelé received the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the player of the tournament.<ref name="Quotes"/> Burgnich, who marked Pelé during the final, was quoted saying, "I told myself before the game, ''he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else''&nbsp;– but I was wrong."<ref name="wrong"/>  
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The last goal of the game is often considered the greatest team goal of all time because it involved all but two of the team's outfield players. The play culminated after Pelé made a blind pass that went into Carlos Alberto's running trajectory. He came running from behind and struck the ball to score.<ref>Andrew Benson, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/brazil/4759831.stm The perfect goal] ''BBC Sport'' (June 2, 2006). Retrieved June 21, 2024. </ref> Brazil won the match 4–1, keeping the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy#Jules Rimet Trophy|Jules Rimet Trophy]] indefinitely, and Pelé received the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the player of the tournament. Burgnich, who marked Pelé during the final, was quoted saying, "I told myself before the game, ''he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else''&nbsp;– but I was wrong."<ref name="wrong"/>  
  
 
Pelé's last international match was on 18 July 1971 against [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] in Rio de Janeiro. With Pelé on the field, the Brazilian team's record was 67&nbsp;wins, 14&nbsp;draws, and 11&nbsp;losses.<ref name="internationalgoals"/>
 
Pelé's last international match was on 18 July 1971 against [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] in Rio de Janeiro. With Pelé on the field, the Brazilian team's record was 67&nbsp;wins, 14&nbsp;draws, and 11&nbsp;losses.<ref name="internationalgoals"/>
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[[File:President Ronald Reagan with soccer player Pele and President José Sarney of Brazil.jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé at the White House on 10 September 1986, with U.S. President [[Ronald Reagan]] and Brazil President [[José Sarney]]]]
 
[[File:President Ronald Reagan with soccer player Pele and President José Sarney of Brazil.jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé at the White House on 10 September 1986, with U.S. President [[Ronald Reagan]] and Brazil President [[José Sarney]]]]
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In 1994, Pelé was appointed a [[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportshumanitarian.com/inductees/pele.html|title=World Sport Humanitarian Hall of Fame Inductees – Pelé|website=Sports Humanitarian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723072800/http://www.sportshumanitarian.com/inductees/pele.html|archive-date=23 July 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=5 May 2011}}</ref> In 1995, Brazilian President [[Fernando Henrique Cardoso]] appointed Pelé to the position of extraordinary minister for sport, a position he held until 1998. During this time he proposed legislation to reduce corruption in Brazilian football, which became known as the "[[Pelé law]]."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pele Law on sports introduced in Brazil|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/69438.stm|access-date=9 July 2017|date=25 March 1998}}</ref>
 
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In 1997, he received an honorary [[Order of the British Empire|knighthood]] from Queen [[Elizabeth II]] at a ceremony in [[Buckingham Palace]].<ref name="knight">{{cite news|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education-sir-pele-lends-his-support-1286703.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education-sir-pele-lends-his-support-1286703.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title= Education: Sir Pele lends his support|work= The Independent|date= 3 December 1997|access-date= 6 May 2011}}</ref> Pelé also helped inaugurate the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], alongside supermodel [[Claudia Schiffer]].<ref name="greatest"/>
 
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[[File:President William J. Clinton Kicking a Soccer Ball - NARA - 81122856.jpg|thumb|300px|Pelé, Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport, with U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] in Rio de Janeiro, 15 October 1997]]
 
[[File:President William J. Clinton Kicking a Soccer Ball - NARA - 81122856.jpg|thumb|300px|Pelé, Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport, with U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] in Rio de Janeiro, 15 October 1997]]
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In 1994, Pelé was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund [[UNICEF]]  and as a [[UNESCO]] Champion for Sport.<ref>[https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2022/12/76403/unesco-deeply-saddened-over-death-football-legend-pele UNESCO ‘deeply saddened’ over death of football legend, Pelé] ''United Nations'', December 29, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> In 1995, Brazilian President [[Fernando Henrique Cardoso]] appointed Pelé to the position of extraordinary minister for sport, a position he held until 1998. During this time he proposed legislation to reduce corruption in Brazilian football, which became known as the "[[Pelé law]]."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/69438.stm Pele Law on sports introduced in Brazil] ''BBC News'' (March 25, 1998). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref>
  
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Pelé published several autobiographies, starred in documentary films, and composed musical pieces, including [[Sérgio Mendes]]' [[Pelé (album)|soundtrack for the film ''Pelé'']] directed by [[François Reichenbach]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13046456/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_10_dr|title=Pelé (1977)|publisher=IMDb|access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="Allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=pele-mw0000375622|label=Pelé}}</ref> He appeared in the 1981 film ''[[Escape to Victory]]'', about a [[World War II]]-era football match between Allied prisoners of war and a German team. Pelé starred alongside other footballers of the 1960s and 1970s, with actors [[Michael Caine]] and [[Sylvester Stallone]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Escape to Victory remake: who should follow in Pelé's footsteps?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/27/escape-to-victory-remake-film-who-should-star|access-date=17 February 2016 |work=The Guardian|date=27 June 2014}}</ref> In 1969, Pelé starred in a telenovela called ''Os Estranhos'', about first contact with aliens. It was created to drum up interest in the [[List of Apollo missions|Apollo missions]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Estranhos extraterrestres chegavam na tela da Excelsior para fazer contato com Pelé|url=http://cartaodevisita.r7.com/conteudo/1257/estranhos-extraterrestres-chegavam-na-tela-da-excelsior-para-fazer-contato-com-pele |publisher=Cartâo de Visita|date=16 January 2013|access-date=17 February 2016|language=pt}}</ref> In 2001, he had a cameo role in the football satire film ''[[Mike Bassett: England Manager]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/255633/Mike-Bassett-England-Manager/overview|access-date=17 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301055650/https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/255633/Mike-Bassett-England-Manager/overview|department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Mark Deming|year=2016|archive-date=1 March 2016}}</ref> Pelé was asked to participate in the 2006 ESPN documentary film ''[[Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos]]'', but declined when the producers refused to pay his requested $100,000 fee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hirshey |first=David |title=Pelé: When Soccer Ruled the USA |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cosmos |publisher=ESPN |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref>
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In 1997, he received an honorary [[Order of the British Empire|knighthood]] from Queen [[Elizabeth II]] at a ceremony in [[Buckingham Palace]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education-sir-pele-lends-his-support-1286703.html Education: Sir Pele lends his support] ''The Independent'' (December 4, 1997). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> In 2006, Pelé made the draw for the qualification groups for the FIFA World Cup finals.<ref>Dave Blevins, ''The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer'' (Scarecrow Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0810861305).</ref> He appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer [[Olympics]] in London, following the handover section to the next host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro.
  
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[[File:Pele - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2006.jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé at the [[World Economic Forum]] in Switzerland, 2006]]
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Pelé published several autobiographies, starred in documentary films, and composed musical pieces, including [[Sérgio Mendes]]' soundtrack for the film ''Pelé'' directed by [[François Reichenbach]] in 1977.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13046456/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_10_dr Pelé (1977)] ''IMDb''. Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> He also appeared in the 1981 film ''Escape to Victory'', about a [[World War II]]-era football match between Allied prisoners of war and a German team. Pelé starred alongside other footballers of the 1960s and 1970s, with actors [[Michael Caine]] and [[Sylvester Stallone]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083284/ Victory (1981)] ''IMDb''. Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref>
  
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In November 2007, Pelé was in [[Sheffield, England|Sheffield]], England, to mark the 150th anniversary of the world's oldest football club, [[Sheffield F.C.]]<ref name="celebration"/> Pelé was the guest of honour at Sheffield's anniversary match against [[Inter Milan]] at [[Bramall Lane]].<ref name="celebration"/> As part of his visit, Pelé opened an exhibition which included the first public showing in 40 years of the original hand-written rules of football.<ref name="celebration">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7081034.stm|title=Pelé joins Sheffield celebrations |work=BBC Sport|access-date=9 November 2007|date=9 November 2007 |first=Jonathan|last=Rawcliffe}}</ref> Pelé scouted for [[Premier League]] club [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pele scouts for Fulham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2313105.stm |access-date=10 June 2006|work=BBC Sport|date=9 October 2002}}</ref> He made the draw for the qualification groups for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]] finals.{{sfn|Blevins|2011|p=756}} On 1 August 2010, Pelé was introduced as the honorary president of a revived [[New York Cosmos (2010)|New York Cosmos]], aiming to field a team in [[Major League Soccer]].<ref name="cosmos_return">{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Bell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/sports/soccer/02cosmos.html|title=Cosmos Begin Anew, With Eye Toward M.L.S.|work=The New York Times|date=1 August 2010|access-date=4 August 2010}}</ref> In August 2011, ESPN reported that Santos was considering bringing him out of retirement for a [[cameo role]] in the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup]], although this turned out to be false.<ref>{{cite web|title=Santos hope for Pele comeback |url=http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/939732/santos-want-pele-to-play-in-club-world-cup |publisher=ESPN |date=4 August 2011 |access-date=22 May 2014}}</ref>
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In 2003 he joined with [[Sun Myung Moon]] in establishing the Peace Cup. An invitational pre-season friendly football tournament for club teams, it was held every two years in South Korea (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2012), and Spain (2009).
  
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[[File:Prime Minister's Olympic hunger summit (7772208606).jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé (second left) outside [[10 Downing Street]] in London at a hunger summit hosted by British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] (waving to camera)]]
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The most notable area of Pelé's life since football was his ambassadorial work. In 2012, Pelé was awarded an honorary degree from the [[University of Edinburgh]] for "significant contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements".<ref>[https://www.ed.ac.uk/about/annual-review/1213/news-in-brief/pele-090812 Pelé receives honorary degree] ''University of Edinburgh Annual Review 2012/13''. Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref>
  
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The most notable area of Pelé's life since football was his ambassadorial work. In 1992, he was appointed a UN ambassador for ecology and the environment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reasons why Rio is the right Olympic choice |first=Scott|last=Russell|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 October 2009 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2009/10/01/spf-olympics-2016-bids-russell.html |access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref> He was also awarded Brazil's gold medal for outstanding services to the sport in 1995. In 2012, Pelé was awarded an honorary degree from the [[University of Edinburgh]] for "significant contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/all-news/pele-090812|title=Pelé to receive honorary degree|publisher=[[University of Edinburgh]]|date=9 August 2012|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>
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In addition to his ambassadorial work, Pelé supported various charitable causes, such as Action for Brazil's Children, Gols Pela Vida, [[SOS Children's Villages]], The Littlest Lamb, [[Prince's Rainforests Project]] and many more. In 2018, Pelé founded his charitable organization, the Pelé Foundation, which endeavors to empower impoverished and disenfranchised children from around the globe.<ref>[https://www.rootsoffight.com/pages/pele-foundation Pelé Foundation]. Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref>
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On 12 August 2012, Pelé was an attendee at the [[2012 Olympic hunger summit]] hosted by UK Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] at [[10 Downing Street]], London, part of a series of international efforts which have sought to respond to the return of hunger as a high-profile global issue.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/12/2012-hunger-summit-legacy-games?intcmp=239|title= The 2012 hunger summit could be the real legacy of the Games|work= The Guardian|first= Justin|last= Forsyth|date=12 August 2012|access-date=27 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/sport-stars-get-behind-olympic-hunger-summit/|title= Sport stars get behind Olympic hunger summit|publisher= [[10 Downing Street]]|date = 12 August 2012|access-date=27 November 2014}}</ref> Later on the same day, Pelé appeared at the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|closing ceremony]] of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London, following the handover section to the next host city for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], Rio de Janeiro.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Coughlan|first1=Maggie|last2=Perry|first2=Simon|title=Spice Girls, One Direction Bring Olympics to a Dazzling End|url=http://people.com/sports/olympics-london-2012-closing-ceremony-spice-girls-one-direction/|work=People|access-date=16 July 2017|date=12 August 2012}}</ref>
 
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[[File:The opening of the Confederations Cup 2017 in St. Petersburg 14.jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé with [[Vladimir Putin]] at the opening of the Confederations Cup 2017 in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia]]
 
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In addition to his ambassadorial work, Pelé supported various charitable causes, such as Action for Brazil's Children, Gols Pela Vida, [[SOS Children's Villages]], The Littlest Lamb, [[Prince's Rainforests Project]] and many more.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=Pelé: Charity Work & Causes |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/pele |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=Look to the Stars}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2007 |title=Medal collection to remember Pele's golden goals |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/medal-collection-to-remember-peles-golden-goals.189401 |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=The Times|location=Malta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 September 2009 |title=Pele for Ballymun |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/sport/soccer/junior-senior/pele-for-ballymun-27926810.html |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 004 |title=Pelé and Beckenbauer unite for SOS Children's Villages |url=https://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/news/pele-and-beckenbauer-unite-for-sos-childrens-villa |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kinver |first=Mark |date=5 May 2009 |title=Rainforest film brings out stars |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8033535.stm |access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref> In 2016, Pelé auctioned more than 1600 items from a collection he accumulated over decades and raised £3.6&nbsp;million for charity.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2016 |title=Pele to donate auction money to Santos, charity |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-pele-auction-idUSKCN0YO0AK |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Downie |first=Andrew |date=23 August 2021 |title=Pele brings sporting stars together for charity auction |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/pele-brings-sporting-stars-together-charity-auction-2021-08-23/ |access-date=6 December 2022 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In 2018, Pelé founded his charitable organisation, the Pelé Foundation, which endeavours to empower impoverished and disenfranchised children from around the globe.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Pele Foundation – Home |url=https://www.pele10.org/ |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=pele10.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Stuart |date=13 October 2018 |title=International Icon and Humanitarian Pelé Announces the Launch of His New Global Charitable Foundation – Ethical Marketing News |url=https://ethicalmarketingnews.com/international-icon-and-humanitarian-pele-announces-the-launch-of-his-new-global-charitable-foundation |access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref>
 
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
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| quote = "He had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. Today, the whole world mourns the loss of Pelé; the greatest footballer of all time."|source=—FIFA President, [[Gianni Infantino]]<ref>{{cite web |title='The greatest of all time' - Ronaldo leads Pele tributes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/64122754/page/2 |publisher=BBC |access-date= January 2, 2023 }}</ref>
 
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Pelé was known the world over as the greatest in football. He used his UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador's status to promote more than just football: "Every kid in the world who plays football wants to be Pelé," he said, "which means I have the responsibility of showing them how to be a footballer but also how to be a man."<ref name=Quotes/> Pelé has also been known for connecting the phrase "[[The Beautiful Game]]" with football.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10887009/The-World-Cup-will-show-why-football-is-still-a-beautiful-game.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10887009/The-World-Cup-will-show-why-football-is-still-a-beautiful-game.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The World Cup will show why football is still a beautiful game|work=The Telegraph|issue=12 June 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
 
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When Pelé's death was announced, tributes were paid by current players, including [[Neymar]], [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Kylian Mbappé]], and [[Lionel Messi]], other major sporting figures, celebrities, and world leaders.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pele: Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo among those paying tribute |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64122039 |access-date=29 December 2022 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Pele dies - live updates: Pele's final message to the world as tributes pour in from sporting royalty |url= https://news.sky.com/story/pele-dies-live-updates-peles-final-message-to-the-world-as-tributes-pour-in-from-sporting-royalty-12762638 |access-date=30 December 2022 |publisher=[[Sky News]]}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Jamie |date=30 December 2022 |title=Will Smith leads celebrity tributes as world mourns Pele after icon's death |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/smith-leads-celebrity-tributes-world-28839325 |access-date=30 December 2022 |website=mirror}}</ref> Brazilian president, [[Jair Bolsonaro]], declared a three-day period of national mourning.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=30 December 2022 |title=Brazil starts three days of mourning as country lights up in memory of Pelé |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2022-12-30/brazil-starts-three-days-of-mourning-as-country-lights-up-in-memory-of-pel |access-date=30 December 2022 |website=ITV News}}</ref> The national flags of the 211 member associations of [[FIFA]] were flown at half-mast at FIFA headquarters in Zürich.<ref>{{cite news |title=FIFA's flags at half mast to honour Pele |url=https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/fifas-flags-at-half-mast-to-honour-pele-idOV953830122022RP1 |access-date=30 December 2022 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Landmarks and stadiums lit up in honour of Pelé included the [[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]] statue and [[Maracanã Stadium]] in Rio de Janeiro,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Katy |last2=Chatterjee |first2=Phelan |date=30 December 2022 |title='Thank you, King': Brazil lights up in honour of Pelé |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64125254 |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref> the headquarters of [[CONMEBOL]] in Paraguay<ref name=":4" /> and [[Wembley Stadium]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|date=2022-12-29|title=Wembley arch lit up in Brazil colours in tribute to Pele|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/pele-wembley-arch-brazil-colours-b2253200.html|access-date=2022-12-30|website=The Independent}}</ref> There was applause and a minute's silence at matches in honour of Pelé.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2022 |title=European leagues to honour Pele with pre-match tributes |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20221230-european-leagues-to-honour-pele-with-pre-match-tributes |access-date=1 January 2022 |publisher=Radio France Internationale}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2023 |title=FIFA asks for minute of silence at football games to honour Pele |url=https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/41901/sports/fifa-asks-for-minute-of-silence-at-football-games-to-honour-pele |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=Qatar Tribune}}</ref>
 
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Pelé's funeral, which involved his body being publicly displayed in an open coffin which was draped with the flags of Brazil and Santos FC, began at [[Estádio Urbano Caldeira|Vila Belmiro]] stadium in [[Santos, Brazil|Santos]] on 2 January 2023.<ref name=funeralfirst /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/02/thousands-mourners-file-past-pele-coffin-santos-brazil|title='I had to say goodbye': thousands pay their respects to Pelé in Brazil|first=Andrew|last=Downie|work=The Guardian|date=2 January 2022|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/video/pele-death-visitors-flock-to-see-stars-open-coffin-in-brazil-football-stadium-12778466|title=Pele death: Visitors flock to see star's open coffin in Brazil football stadium|publisher=Sky News|date=2 January 2022|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> Thousands of fans flooded the streets to attend the first day of the funeral service,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/sports/fans-mourn-pele-at-public-wake-in-brazil/|title=Thousands of Fans Line Up to Pay Their Respects to Pelé at Public Wake in Brazil|first=Daniela|last=Avila|work=People|date=2 January 2022|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> with some in attendance claiming that they had to wait three hours in line.<ref name=funeralfirst>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pele-soccer-great-funeral-5c6c738f8778fc04e815fe117b4b36b4|title=Brazilians mourn Pelé at the stadium where he got his start|first=Maurico|last=Savarese|work=Associated Press News|date=2 January 2022|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> The public wake would continue to 3 January,<ref name="WaPoObit">{{cite news |title='Pelé is eternal!': Tributes pour in from soccer stars, world leaders |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/12/29/pele-death-tributes-neymar-ronaldo/ |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2022 |title=Pele's funeral and burial to take place in hometown Santos |url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-soccer-fifa-world-cup-pele-funerals-and-memorial-services-71893b650d2f227e954c1feee7e048ba |access-date=30 December 2022 |website=AP NEWS}}</ref> and saw more than 230,000 people in attendance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/brazil-president-lula-joins-mourners-paying-tribute-to-pele-before-funeral|title=Brazil president joins mourners paying tribute to Pelé before funeral|first1=Tom|last1=Philips|first2=Ana|last2=Ionova|work=The Guardian|date=3 January 2022|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/03/football/pele-wake-tuesday-santos-lula-spt-intl/index.html|title=Funeral procession for Pelé begins after thousands, including Brazil's president Lula da Silva, visited 24-hour wake|first1=Ben|last1=Church|first2=Camilo|last2=Rocha|publisher=CNN|date=3 January 2022|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref> Many in attendance were wearing the yellow and green No. 10 Brazilian jerseys and the black and white Santos football club jersey, which Pelé wore during his career.<ref name="inattendance">{{cite news |last=Avila |first=Daniela |date=2 January 2022 |title=Thousands of Fans Line Up to Pay Their Respects to Pelé at Public Wake in Brazil |work=People |url=https://people.com/sports/fans-mourn-pele-at-public-wake-in-brazil/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102201716/https://people.com/sports/fans-mourn-pele-at-public-wake-in-brazil/ |archive-date=2 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="pelewake">{{cite news |last1=Church |first1=Ben |last2=Rocha |first2=Camilo |date=3 January 2022 |title=Funeral procession for Pelé begins after thousands, including Brazil's president Lula da Silva, visited 24-hour wake |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/03/football/pele-wake-tuesday-santos-lula-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103143758/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/03/football/pele-wake-tuesday-santos-lula-spt-intl/index.html |archive-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> Brazil television channels suspended normal broadcasting to cover the funeral procession.<ref name="wakeattendance">{{cite news |last1=Philips |first1=Tom |last2=Ionova |first2=Ana |date=3 January 2022 |title=Brazil president joins mourners paying tribute to Pelé before funeral |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/brazil-president-lula-joins-mourners-paying-tribute-to-pele-before-funeral |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103131104/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/brazil-president-lula-joins-mourners-paying-tribute-to-pele-before-funeral |archive-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> Pelé's wife Marcia Aoki, his son [[Edinho (footballer, born 1970)|Edinho]], [[FIFA]] president [[Gianni Infantino]], [[CONMEBOL]] president [[Alejandro Domínguez (football executive)|Alejandro Domínguez]] and president of the [[Brazilian Football Confederation]] [[Ednaldo Rodrigues]] were among those in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 January 2022 |title=Brazil bids goodbye to 'King' Pele |publisher=[[Prothom Alo]] |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/sports/football/fa1eb03qno |url-status=live |access-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102204823/https://en.prothomalo.com/sports/football/fa1eb03qno |archive-date=2 January 2023}}</ref> It would continue on 3 January 2023. Brazil President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] was also among those who attended the wake.<ref name="wakeattendance" /><ref name="pelewake" /> After the funeral procession, Pelé was buried at the [[Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/private-burial-of-pele-in-santos-after-eight-mile-funeral-procession|title=Private burial of Pelé in Santos after eight-mile funeral procession|first1=Tom|last1=Philips|first2=Ana|last2=Ionova|work=The Guardian|date=3 January 2022|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pedroso |first1=Camilo Rocha,George Ramsay,Tara John,Flora Charner,Rodrigo |title=Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at 82 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/29/football/brazil-pele-soccer-died-intl-latam-spt/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=30 December 2022 |date=29 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Philips |first1=Tom |last2=Ionova |first2=Ana |date=3 January 2022 |title=Private burial of Pelé in Santos after eight-mile funeral procession |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/private-burial-of-pele-in-santos-after-eight-mile-funeral-procession |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190257/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/private-burial-of-pele-in-santos-after-eight-mile-funeral-procession |archive-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
 
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[[File:Pele celebrating 1970.jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé being held aloft after winning the 1970 [[World Cup]] final in Mexico City. He is the only player to win three World Cups.]]
 
[[File:Pele celebrating 1970.jpg|thumb|400px|Pelé being held aloft after winning the 1970 [[World Cup]] final in Mexico City. He is the only player to win three World Cups.]]
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[[File:Selo Pelé 1000 gols 10 cts.jpg|thumb|300px|1969 Brazil postage stamp commemorating Pelé's landmark 1,000th goal]]
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Pelé was known the world over as the greatest in football. He used his UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador's status to promote more than just football: "Every kid in the world who plays football wants to be Pelé," he said, "which means I have the responsibility of showing them how to be a footballer but also how to be a man."<ref>Ritabrata Banerjee, [https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/70-facts-about-brazil-legend-pele/bltedb1cce6853a0f44 70 facts about Brazil legend Pele] ''Goal'' (March 31, 2023). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> Pelé was also known for connecting the phrase "[[The Beautiful Game]]" with football.<ref> Duncan White, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10887009/The-World-Cup-will-show-why-football-is-still-a-beautiful-game.html The World Cup will show why football is still a beautiful game] ''The Telegraph'' (June 12, 2014). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> After a reporter asked if his fame compared to that of Jesus, Pelé joked, "There are parts of the world where Jesus Christ is not so well known."<ref name="wrong">Gentry Kirby, [https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Pele.html Pele, King of Futbol] ''ESPN''. Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>
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<blockquote>I used to go out and people said Pelé! Pelé! Pelé! Pelé! all over the world, but no one remembers Edson. Edson is the person who has the feelings, who has the family, who works hard, and Pelé is the idol. Pelé doesn't die. Pelé will never die. Pelé is going to go on for ever. But Edson is a normal person who is going to die one day, and the people forget that.<ref name=Hattenstone/></blockquote>
  
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Among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century,<ref>{{Cite web|title=ESPN.com – ENDOFCENTURY – Wide World of Sports athlete of the century |url=http://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/century/wwos.html|access-date=4 June 2020|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Pelé is one of the most lauded players in the history of football and has been frequently ranked the best player ever.<ref name=fifa>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/pele-the-greatest-them-all-1656982 |title=FIFA: Pele, the greatest of them all |date=28 June 2012 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109195631/https://www.fifa.com/news/pele-the-greatest-them-all-1656982 |archive-date=9 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5051768.stm|title= Pele tops World Cup legends poll|work=BBC News|date=12 June 2006|access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Best of the Best|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/bestbest.html|publisher=RSSSF|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126041553/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/bestbest.html|archive-date=26 January 2010}}</ref><ref>Various sources:
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Among the most successful and popular sports figures of the twentieth century, Pelé is one of the most lauded players in the history of football and has been frequently ranked the best player ever.<ref>[http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5051768.stm Pele tops World Cup legends poll] ''BBC News'' (June 12, 2006). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> Among his contemporaries, Dutch star [[Johan Cruyff]] stated, "Pelé was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto Torres opined: "His great secret was improvisation. Those things he did were in one moment. He had an extraordinary perception of the game."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> According to [[Tostão]], his strike partner at the 1970 World Cup: "Pelé was the greatest – he was simply flawless. And off the pitch he is always smiling and upbeat. You never see him bad-tempered. He loves being Pelé."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> His Brazilian teammate [[Clodoaldo]] commented on the adulation he witnessed: "In some countries they wanted to touch him, in some they wanted to kiss him. In others they even kissed the ground he walked on. I thought it was beautiful, just beautiful."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/>  
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* {{Cite web |last=Le Miere |first=Jason |date=7 October 2014 |title=Top 50 Greatest Footballers Of All-Time – Pelé, Maradona, Messi And Ronaldo Included In The Best Soccer Players Ever List |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/top-50-greatest-footballers-all-time-pele-maradona-messi-ronaldo-included-best-soccer-1624974 |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=[[International Business Times]]}}
 
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* {{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Rob |date=27 May 2018 |title=Pelé has been voted the greatest footballer of all time |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/pele-greatest-footballer-brazil-messi-ronaldo-maradona-voted-a8371576.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=[[The Independent]]}}
 
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* {{Cite news |last=Mahmood |first=Zahid |date=12 June 2018 |title=Vincent Kompany: 'Pele is the greatest player of all time' |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/12/sport/vincent-kompany-world-cup-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=9 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite news |last=Rostance |first=Tom |date=24 October 2020 |title=Pele at 80: Where does he rank among the GOATs? |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54543144 |access-date=9 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite web |date=4 December 2022 |title=Wenger's 'idol' and the 'best ever' for Klinsmann |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/video/wengers-idol-best-ever-klinsmann-134600181.html |access-date=9 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite web |last=Benedict |first=Oreva |date=19 December 2022 |title=Pele is still the GOAT ahead of Messi, Ronaldo – Oliseh |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/sport/pele-is-still-the-goat-ahead-of-messi-ronaldo-oliseh |access-date=22 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite web |date=21 December 2022 |title=Ex-England ace Reid believes Pele is the greatest of all time |url=https://myinfo.com.gh/2022/12/ex-england-ace-reid-believes-pele-is-the-greatest-of-all-time/ |access-date=22 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite web |date=21 December 2022 |title=Leboeuf: Messi Can Never Overhaul GOAT Pele; Martinez Should Grow Up! Zidane To Succeed Deschamps |url=https://www.completesports.com/leboeuf-messi-can-never-overhaul-goat-pele-martinez-should-grow-up-zidane-to-succeed-deschamps/ |access-date=22 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Sushan |date=19 December 2022 |title=10 greatest football players of all time |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/10-greatest-football-players-time-pele-messi-maradona-ronaldo#keeda-comments-container |access-date=22 December 2022}}
 
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* {{Cite web |last=Dalglish |first=Kenny |date=1 January 2023 |title=Sir Kenny Dalglish on Pele: The greatest-ever was so humble but left me starstruck |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/kenny-dalglish-pele/ |access-date=23 January 2023}}
 
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</ref> Following his emergence at the 1958 World Cup he was nicknamed ''O Rei'' ("The King").<ref>{{cite news |title=O Rei arrives in style: 100 great World Cup moments |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/100-great-world-cup-moments-qatar-2022-11-pele-1958-sweden-youngest-scorer |access-date=4 December 2022 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref> Among his contemporaries, Dutch star [[Johan Cruyff]] stated, "Pelé was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto Torres opined: "His great secret was improvisation. Those things he did were in one moment. He had an extraordinary perception of the game."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> According to [[Tostão]], his strike partner at the 1970 World Cup: "Pelé was the greatest – he was simply flawless. And off the pitch he is always smiling and upbeat. You never see him bad-tempered. He loves being Pelé."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> His Brazilian teammate [[Clodoaldo]] commented on the adulation he witnessed: "In some countries they wanted to touch him, in some they wanted to kiss him. In others they even kissed the ground he walked on. I thought it was beautiful, just beautiful."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> According to [[Franz Beckenbauer]], West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning captain: "Pelé is the greatest player of all time. He reigned supreme for 20 years. There's no one to compare with him."<ref name="Quotes"/>
 
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|quote    = "I used to go out and people said Pelé! Pelé! Pelé! Pelé! all over the world, but no one remembers Edson. Edson is the person who has the feelings, who has the family, who works hard, and Pelé is the idol. Pelé doesn't die. Pelé will never die. Pelé is going to go on for ever. But Edson is a normal person who is going to die one day, and the people forget that." — Pelé on his lasting legacy.<ref>{{cite web |title= And God created Pele |url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jun/30/sport.comment |website=The Guardian |date= 30 June 2003 |access-date= June 30, 2003 }}</ref>
 
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Former Real Madrid and Hungary star [[Ferenc Puskás]] stated: "The greatest player in history was [[Alfredo Di Stéfano|Di Stéfano]]. I refuse to classify Pelé as a player. He was above that."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> [[Just Fontaine]], French striker and the leading scorer at the 1958 World Cup said "When I saw Pelé play, it made me feel I should hang up my boots."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain [[Bobby Moore]] commented: "Pelé was the most complete player I've ever seen, he had everything. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Quick. Powerful. Could beat people with skill. Could outrun people. Only five feet and eight inches tall, yet he seemed a giant of an athlete on the pitch. Perfect balance and impossible vision. He was the greatest because he could do anything and everything on a football pitch. I remember [[João Saldanha]] the coach being asked by a Brazilian journalist who was the best goalkeeper in his squad. He said Pelé. The man could play in any position".<ref name="perfect player">Frank Malley, [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/pele-the-perfect-player-743002.html Pele, the perfect player] ''The Independent'' (December 23, 1999). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref> Former Manchester United striker and member of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team [[Bobby Charlton|Sir Bobby Charlton]] stated, "I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> During the 1970 World Cup, when Manchester United defender [[Paddy Crerand]] (who was part of the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] panel) was asked, "How do you spell Pelé?", he replied, "Easy: G-O-D."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> Following Pelé's death, former Brazilian international and World Cup Winner [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] stated that his "legacy transcends generations".<ref name="Jame Walker-Roberts">{{cite news |author=Jame Walker-Roberts |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/ronaldo-and-roberto-carlos-pay-tribute-to-pele-after-his-death-aged-82-his-legacy-transcends-generat_sto9293637/story.shtml |work=EuroSport|title=Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos pay tribute to Pelé after his death aged 82 - 'his legacy transcends generations'|date=29 December 2022}}</ref> Ronaldo's teammate for club and country, [[Roberto Carlos]], also expressed gratitude towards Pele, saying that the "football world thanks you for everything you did for us".<ref name="Jame Walker-Roberts"/> Many of such tributes were issued after Pelé's death at the age of 82.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pele: Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo among those paying tribute |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64122039 |access-date=29 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Pele dies - live updates: Pele's final message to the world as tributes pour in from sporting royalty |url= https://news.sky.com/story/pele-dies-live-updates-peles-final-message-to-the-world-as-tributes-pour-in-from-sporting-royalty-12762638 |access-date=30 December 2022 |publisher=Sky News}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news |title= 'Your legacy will be eternal': sporting world pays tribute to Brazilian legend Pele |url= https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/a-league-pay-tribute-brazilian-legend-pele-with-minutes-applause-2022-12-30/ |access-date=30 December 2022 |agency=Reuters News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Jamie |date=30 December 2022 |title=Will Smith leads celebrity tributes as world mourns Pele after icon's death |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/smith-leads-celebrity-tributes-world-28839325 |access-date=30 December 2022 |work=Daily Mirror}}</ref>
 
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=== Accolades ===
 
  
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[[File:Selo Pelé 1000 gols 10 cts.jpg|thumb|300px|1969 Brazil postage stamp commemorating Pelé's landmark 1,000th goal]]
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Former Real Madrid and Hungary star [[Ferenc Puskás]] stated: "The greatest player in history was [[Alfredo Di Stéfano|Di Stéfano]]. I refuse to classify Pelé as a player. He was above that."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> [[Just Fontaine]], French striker and the leading scorer at the 1958 World Cup said "When I saw Pelé play, it made me feel I should hang up my boots."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain [[Bobby Moore]] commented: <blockquote>Pelé was the most complete player I've ever seen, he had everything. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Quick. Powerful. Could beat people with skill. Could outrun people. Only five feet and eight inches tall, yet he seemed a giant of an athlete on the pitch. Perfect balance and impossible vision. He was the greatest because he could do anything and everything on a football pitch. I remember João Saldanha the coach being asked by a Brazilian journalist who was the best goalkeeper in his squad. He said Pelé. The man could play in any position".<ref name="perfect player">Frank Malley, [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/pele-the-perfect-player-743002.html Pele, the perfect player] ''The Independent'' (December 23, 1999). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref></blockquote>
  
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After retiring, Pelé continued to be lauded by players, coaches, journalists and others. Brazilian attacking midfielder [[Zico (footballer)|Zico]], who represented Brazil at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup, stated: "This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There's only one possible answer: Pelé. He's the greatest player of all time, and by some distance I might add".<ref name="Quotes">{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=63869/profile.html|title=The King of football|access-date=21 January 2016|url-status=dead|publisher=FIFA|year=2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126181140/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=63869/profile.html|archive-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> French three-time [[Ballon d'Or]] winner [[Michel Platini]] said: "There's Pelé the man, and then Pelé the player. And to play like Pelé is to play like God."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/what-they-said-about-pele |title=What they said about Pele |access-date=4 December 2020 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref> [[Diego Maradona]], joint [[FIFA Player of the Century]], and the player Pelé is [[Argentina–Brazil football rivalry#Pelé–Maradona rivalry|historically compared with]], stated, "It's too bad we never got along, but he was an awesome player".<ref name="Quotes"/> Prolific Brazilian striker [[Romário]], winner of the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]] and player of the tournament, remarked: "It's only inevitable I look up to Pelé. He's like a God to us".<ref name="Quotes"/> Five-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] said, "Pelé is the greatest player in football history, and there will only be one Pelé", while [[José Mourinho]], two-time UEFA Champions League winning manager, commented: "I think he is football. You have the real special one – Mr. Pelé."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pele and Mourinho win BBC awards|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4518960.stm|access-date=17 July 2017|publisher=BBC|date=11 December 2005}}</ref> Real Madrid honorary president and former player, [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]], opined: "The best player ever? Pelé. [[Lionel Messi]] and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pelé was better".<ref>{{cite web|title=Alfredo Di Stefano: Pele is better than Messi and Ronaldo|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/169585.html|publisher= ESPN|date=10 September 2012|access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref>
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Former Manchester United striker and member of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team [[Bobby Charlton|Sir Bobby Charlton]] stated, "I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/>  
  
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After retiring, Pelé continued to be lauded by players, coaches, journalists and others.
 
[[File:Pele libro elegido.jpg|thumb|300px|Pelé wearing the [[New York Cosmos (1970–85)|Cosmos]]' No. 10. The number was retired in his honor.]]
 
[[File:Pele libro elegido.jpg|thumb|300px|Pelé wearing the [[New York Cosmos (1970–85)|Cosmos]]' No. 10. The number was retired in his honor.]]
  
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Presenting Pelé with the [[Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award]], former South African president [[Nelson Mandela]] said, "To watch him play was to watch the delight of a child combined with the extraordinary grace of a man in full."<ref name="Mandela">{{cite web|title=Speech by Nelson Mandela at the Inaugural Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, Monaco 2000|url=http://db.nelsonmandela.org/speeches/pub_view.asp?pg=item&ItemID=NMS1148|website=nelsonmandela.org|date=25 May 2000|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424043821/http://db.nelsonmandela.org/speeches/pub_view.asp?pg=item&ItemID=NMS1148|archive-date=24 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> US politician and political scientist [[Henry Kissinger]] stated: "Performance at a high level in any sport is to exceed the ordinary human scale. But Pelé's performance transcended that of the ordinary star by as much as the star exceeds ordinary performance."<ref>{{cite news|url= http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991264,00.html|title=PELE: The Phenomenon|magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]]|first= Henry|last=Kissinger|date= 14 June 1999|access-date= 21 January 2016}}</ref> After a reporter asked if his fame compared to that of Jesus, Pelé joked, "There are parts of the world where Jesus Christ is not so well known."<ref name="wrong">Gentry Kirby, [https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Pele.html Pele, King of Futbol] ''ESPN''. Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref> The artist [[Andy Warhol]] (who painted a portrait of Pelé) also quipped, "Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> [[Barney Ronay]], writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', stated, "What is certain is that Pelé invented this game, the idea of individual global sporting superstardom, and in a way that is unrepeatable now."<ref name="Ronay">Barney Ronay, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/01/pele-revolutionary-status-must-survive-numbers-game-against-lionel-messi-santos Pelé's revolutionary status must survive numbers game against Lionel Messi] ''The Guardian'' (February 3, 2021). Retrieved June 20, 2024. </ref>
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US politician and political scientist [[Henry Kissinger]] stated: "Performance at a high level in any sport is to exceed the ordinary human scale. But Pelé's performance transcended that of the ordinary star by as much as the star exceeds ordinary performance."<ref>Henry Kissinger, [https://time.com/archive/6735662/pele-the-phenomenon/ PELE: The Phenomenon] ''TIME'' (June 14, 1999). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> The artist [[Andy Warhol]] (who painted a portrait of Pelé) also quipped, "Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries."<ref name="FIFA quotes"/> [[Barney Ronay]], writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', stated, "What is certain is that Pelé invented this game, the idea of individual global sporting superstardom, and in a way that is unrepeatable now."<ref name="Ronay">Barney Ronay, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/01/pele-revolutionary-status-must-survive-numbers-game-against-lionel-messi-santos Pelé's revolutionary status must survive numbers game against Lionel Messi] ''The Guardian'' (February 3, 2021). Retrieved June 20, 2024. </ref>
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[[File:Alckmin prestigia inauguração do Museu Pelé em Santos. (14251157108).jpg|thumb|400px|Young visitors to the Pelé Museum, opened in 2014, in [[Santos, São Paulo|Santos]], Brazil]]
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In 2014, the city of [[Santos, São Paulo|Santos]] inaugurated the Pelé museum – Museu Pelé – which displays a 2,400 piece collection of Pelé memorabilia. Approximately $22&nbsp;million was invested in the construction of the museum, housed in a nineteenth-century mansion.<ref>[https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37368438/brazil-inaugurates-pele-museum-honoring-legend Brazil inaugurates Pele Museum] ''ESPN'', June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2024. </ref>
  
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In 2000, the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] (IFFHS) voted Pelé the [[IFFHS World's Best Player#The World's Best Man Player of the Century (1901–2000)|World Player of the Century]]. In 1999, the [[International Olympic Committee]] elected him the Athlete of the Century and ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine named Pelé one of the [[Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century|100 Most Important People of the 20th Century]]. During his playing days, Pelé was for a period the highest-paid athlete in the world.<ref>Michelle Roehm McCann (2012). "Boys Who Rocked the World: Heroes from King Tut to Bruce Lee". p. 140. Simon and Schuster</ref> Pelé's electrifying play and spectacular goals made him a star around the world. To take full advantage of his popularity, his teams toured internationally.<ref name="britannica" /> During his career, he became known as "The Black Pearl" (''A Pérola Negra''), "The King of Football" (''O Rei do Futebol''), "The King Pelé" (''O Rei Pelé'') or simply "The King" ('''''O Rei''''').<ref name="pelebio" /> In 2014, the city of [[Santos, São Paulo|Santos]] inaugurated the Pelé museum – Museu Pelé – which displays a 2,400 piece collection of Pelé memorabilia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pelé Museum is opened with a 2,400-piece collection and a hologram of the King of Football |url=http://www.copa2014.gov.br/en/noticia/pele-museum-opened-a-2400-piece-collection-and-a-hologram-king-football |access-date=26 July 2018 |work=Copa 2014}}</ref> Approximately $22&nbsp;million was invested in the construction of the museum, housed in a 19th-century mansion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brazil inaugurates Pele Museum |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/1885131/brazil-inaugurates-pele-museumhonoring-legend |access-date=26 July 2018 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref>
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When Pelé's death was announced, tributes were paid by current players, including [[Neymar]], [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Kylian Mbappé]], and [[Lionel Messi]], other major sporting figures, celebrities, and world leaders. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said:
 +
<blockquote>Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity.<ref>Gianni Infantino, [https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/immortal-forever-with-us-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-on-pele Immortal - forever with us] ''FIFA'', December 29, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref></blockquote>
  
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[[File:Alckmin prestigia inauguração do Museu Pelé em Santos. (14251157108).jpg|thumb|400px|Young visitors to the Pelé Museum, opened in 2014, in [[Santos, São Paulo|Santos]], Brazil]]
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Brazilian president, [[Jair Bolsonaro]], declared a three-day period of national mourning.<ref>[https://www.itv.com/news/2022-12-30/brazil-starts-three-days-of-mourning-as-country-lights-up-in-memory-of-pel Brazil starts three days of mourning as country lights up in memory of Pelé] ''ITV News'', December 30, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024. </ref> The national flags of the 211 member associations of [[FIFA]] were flown at half-mast at FIFA headquarters in Zürich. Landmarks and stadiums lit up in honor of Pelé included the [[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]] statue and [[Maracanã Stadium]] in Rio de Janeiro, the headquarters of [[CONMEBOL]] in Paraguay, and [[Wembley Stadium]] in London.
  
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In January 2014, Pelé was awarded the first ever [[FIFA Ballon d'Or|FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur]] as an acknowledgment from the world governing body of the sport for his contribution to world football.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.fifa.com/videos/pele-fifa-ballon-prix-honneur-2260713|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191001130005/https://www.fifa.com/videos/pele-fifa-ballon-prix-honneur-2260713|url-status = dead|archive-date = 1 October 2019|title =Pele: FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'honneur |access-date=13 August 2020|publisher=FIFA}}</ref> After changing the rules in 1995, ''[[France Football]]'' did an extensive analysis in 2015 of the players who would have won the award if it was open for them since 1956—the year the [[Ballon d'Or]] award started. Their study revealed that Pelé would have received the award a record seven times (''Ballon d'or: Le nouveau palmarès''). The original recipients, however, remain unchanged.<ref name="FF7">{{cite web |last1=Crépin |first1=Timothé |date=2 December 2015 |title=Pelé devait être le recordman |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Pele-devait-etre-le-recordman/612774 |publisher=[[France Football]] |language=fr}}</ref> In 2020, Pelé was named in the [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team#First Team|Ballon d'Or Dream Team]], a greatest all-time XI.<ref>Dave Fraser, [https://www.the-sun.com/sport/football/premier-league/1970724/ballon-dor-xi-ronaldo-messi-pele-maradona/ Ballon d’Or all-time dream team revealed with Messi, Maradona, Pele and both Ronaldos] ''The Sun'' (December 17, 2020). Retrieved September 15, 2023.</ref>
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Pelé's [[funeral]], which involved his body being publicly displayed in an open [[coffin]] which was draped with the flags of Brazil and Santos FC, began at [[Estádio Urbano Caldeira|Vila Belmiro]] stadium in [[Santos, Brazil|Santos]] on January 2, 2023. Thousands of fans flooded the streets to attend the first day of the funeral service.<ref>Andrew Downie, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/02/thousands-mourners-file-past-pele-coffin-santos-brazil 'I had to say goodbye': thousands pay their respects to Pelé in Brazil] ''The Guardian'' (January 2, 2022). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> The public wake would continue to January 3rd, and saw more than 230,000 people in attendance. Brazil President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] was also among those who attended the wake.<ref name=Phillips>Tom Phillips and Ana Ionova, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/brazil-president-lula-joins-mourners-paying-tribute-to-pele-before-funeral Brazil president joins mourners paying tribute to Pelé before funeral] ''The Guardian'' (January 3, 2022). Retrieved June 22, 2024.</ref> Brazil television channels suspended normal broadcasting to cover the funeral procession. Pelé's wife Marcia Aoki, his son [[Edinho (footballer, born 1970)|Edinho]], [[FIFA]] president [[Gianni Infantino]], [[CONMEBOL]] president [[Alejandro Domínguez (football executive)|Alejandro Domínguez]] and president of the [[Brazilian Football Confederation]] [[Ednaldo Rodrigues]] were among those in attendance.<ref name=Phillips/>  
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According to the [[RSSSF]], Pelé was one of the most successful goal-scorers in the world, scoring 538 league goals,<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.rsssf.org/players/prolific.html|title =Prolific Scorers Data : Best League Goalscorers All-Time |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=9 June 2021}}</ref> a total of 775 in 840 official games and a tally of 1,301 goals in 1,390 appearances during his professional senior career, which included friendlies and tour games. He is ranked among the leading scorers in football history in both official and total matches. After his retirement in 1977 he played eight exhibition games and scored three goals.<ref name=addi>{{cite web |url =https://www.rsssf.org/players/ppeledata.html |title = RSSSF : Prolific Scorers Data-Additional Data on Pelé|website =rsssf. com|date =28 January 2021 |access-date =2 June 2021}}</ref>
 
  
 
=== Career statistics ===
 
=== Career statistics ===
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According to the [[RSSSF]], Pelé was one of the most successful goal-scorers in the world. He is ranked among the leading scorers in football history in both official and total matches. After his retirement in 1977 he played eight exhibition games, scoring three goals.
  
 
==== Club ====
 
==== Club ====
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Pelé's goalscoring record is often reported by [[FIFA]] as being 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. This figure includes goals scored by Pelé in friendly club matches, including international tours Pelé completed with Santos and the New York Cosmos, and a few games Pelé played in for the Brazilian armed forces teams during his national service in Brazil and the Selection Team of [[São Paulo state football team|São Paulo]] State for the Brazilian Championship of States (''Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais'').<ref name=Goals>Anirudh Menon, [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37635141/pele-incredible-numbers-stats-1281-hundreds-goals-3-world-cups Pele's incredible numbers: hundreds of goals and 3 World Cups] ''ESPN'' (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref> In 2000, IFFHS declared Pelé as the "World's Best and successful Top Division Goal Scorer of all time" with 541 goals in 560 games and honored him with a trophy.<ref>[https://www.iffhs.com/posts/845 IFFHS News and Statistics of the Week 51] ''IFFHS News'' (December 19, 2020). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>
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Pelé's goalscoring record is often reported by [[FIFA]] as being 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.<ref name="Quotes"/> This figure includes goals scored by Pelé in friendly club matches, including international tours Pelé completed with Santos and the New York Cosmos, and a few games Pelé played in for the Brazilian armed forces teams during his national service in Brazil and the Selection Team of [[São Paulo state football team|São Paulo]] State for the Brazilian Championship of States (''Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais'').<ref name=mqpm>{{cite web|url= http://pele.m-qp-m.us/english/pele_statistics.shtml|title= Pelé statistics |website=m-qp-m.us}}</ref><ref name="santosfc.com.br">{{cite web|title=Jogos e goals de Pelé pelo Santos |url=http://www.santosfc.com.br/upload/site/Jogos%20e%20gols%20de%20Pel%C3%A9%20pelo%20Santos%20FC.pdf|publisher=Santos FC|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6DGs1ZcKh?url=http://www.santosfc.com.br/upload/site/Jogos%20e%20gols%20de%20Pel%C3%A9%20pelo%20Santos%20FC.pdf|archive-date=29 December 2012|url-status=dead|language=pt|year=2012|pages=1–11}}</ref> He was listed in the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' for most career goals scored in football.<ref name=GWR>{{cite web|title=Most career goals (football)|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-career-goals-(football)/ |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> In 2000, IFFHS declared Pelé as the "World's Best and successful Top Division Goal Scorer of all time" with 541 goals in 560 games and honoured him with a trophy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/845|website=iffhs.com|date =19 December 2020 |title =IFFHS NEWS AND STATISTICS OF THE WEEK 51 |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://iffhs.de/?b4a390f03be4ac07cda17b45fdcdc3bfcdc0aec28d6d12|title =IFFHS Top Division Scorers|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110818024050/http://iffhs.de/?b4a390f03be4ac07cda17b45fdcdc3bfcdc0aec28d6d12|access-date = 4 August 2020 |archive-date =18 August 2011}}</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
  
 
==== International ====
 
==== International ====
−
 
+
With 77 goals in 92 official appearances, Pelé is the joint-top scorer of the [[Brazil national football team]] (tied with [[Neymar]]).<ref name=Goals/> He scored twelve goals and is credited with ten assists in fourteen [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] appearances, including four goals and seven assists in 1970.<ref>[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pele-helps-brazil-to-world-cup-title Pele helps Brazil to World Cup title] ''History.com''. Retrieved June 21, 2024. </ref> Pelé shares with [[Uwe Seeler]], [[Miroslav Klose]], [[Lionel Messi]], and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], the achievement of being the only players to have scored in four separate World Cup tournaments.<ref>Robert Summerscales, [https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/lionel-messi-equals-world-cup-record-of-cristiano-ronaldo-pele Lionel Messi Equals World Cup Record Set By Cristiano Ronaldo And Pele] ''Sports Illustrated Fan Nation'' (November 22, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024.</ref>
−
 
 
−
With 77 goals in 92 official appearances, Pelé is the joint-top scorer of the [[Brazil national football team]] (tied with [[Neymar]]).<ref name="Quotes" /> He scored twelve goals and is credited with ten assists in fourteen [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] appearances, including four goals and seven assists in [[FIFA World Cup 1970|1970]].<ref name= "dayinhistory">{{cite web|title=Pele helps Brazil to World Cup title|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pele-helps-brazil-to-world-cup-title|publisher=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]]|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> Pelé shares with [[Uwe Seeler]], [[Miroslav Klose]], [[Lionel Messi]] and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], the achievement of being the only players to have scored in four separate World Cup tournaments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Equals World Cup Record Set By Cristiano Ronaldo And Pele |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/lionel-messi-equals-world-cup-record-of-cristiano-ronaldo-pele |access-date=20 December 2022 |work=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
Source:<ref name="internationalgoals" />
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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==References==
 
==References==
 
* Bellos, Alex. ''Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life''. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 1620402440
 
* Bellos, Alex. ''Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life''. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 1620402440
 +
* Blevins, Dave. ''The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer''. Scarecrow Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0810861305
 
* Dunmore, Tom. ''Historical Dictionary of Soccer''. Scarecrow Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0810871885
 
* Dunmore, Tom. ''Historical Dictionary of Soccer''. Scarecrow Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0810871885
 
* Freedman, Lew. ''Pelé: A Biography''. Greenwood, 2014. ISBN 978-1440829802
 
* Freedman, Lew. ''Pelé: A Biography''. Greenwood, 2014. ISBN 978-1440829802
Line 290: Line 245:
 
* [https://eume.upf.org/resources/announcements/in-memoriam/1791-in-memoriam-pele In Memoriam: Pelé] ''Universal Peace Federation''
 
* [https://eume.upf.org/resources/announcements/in-memoriam/1791-in-memoriam-pele In Memoriam: Pelé] ''Universal Peace Federation''
 
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0671446/ Pelé] ''IMDb''
 
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0671446/ Pelé] ''IMDb''
−
* [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37635062/pele-was-benchmark-all-other-great-players-measured Pele was the benchmark against whom all other great players are measured] by  
+
* [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37635062/pele-was-benchmark-all-other-great-players-measured Pele was the benchmark against whom all other great players are measured] by Gabriele Marcotti, ''ESPN'', December 29, 2022.
−
Gabriele Marcotti, ''ESPN'', December 29, 2022.
+
* [https://www.rootsoffight.com/pages/pele-foundation Pelé Foundation]
  
 
[[Category:Biography]]
 
[[Category:Biography]]

Latest revision as of 20:43, 22 June 2024

Pelé
Pele con brasil (cropped).jpg
Pelé with Brazil in 1970
BornEdson Arantes do Nascimento
October 23 1940(1940-10-23)[1]
Três Corações, Brazil
DiedDecember 29 2022 (aged 82)
São Paulo, Brazil
Resting placeMemorial Necrópole Ecumênica, Santos, São Paulo
OccupationFootballer, humanitarian
Height1.73 m
Spouse(s)Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi
(m. 1966; div. 1982)​

Assíria Lemos Seixas
(m. 1994; div. 2008)​

Marcia Aoki
(m. 2016)
Children7, including Edinho and Joshua Nascimento
RelativesZoca (brother)
Signature
Firma de Pelé.png

Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈɛtsõ aˈɾɐ̃tʃiz du nasiˈmẽtu]; October 23, 1940 – December 29, 2022), better known by his nickname Pelé (Portuguese pronunciation: [peˈlɛ]), was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the twentieth century. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes friendlies, is recognized as a Guinness World Record.

Averaging almost a goal per game throughout his career, Pelé was adept at striking the ball with either foot in addition to anticipating his opponents' movements on the field. Credited with connecting the phrase "The Beautiful Game" with football, Pelé's electrifying play and ability to score spectacular goals made him a star around the world. After retiring in 1977, Pelé was a worldwide ambassador for football and made many acting and commercial ventures.

In Brazil, he was hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in football and for his outspoken support of policies that improve the social conditions of the poor. His emergence at the 1958 World Cup, where he became a black global sporting star, was a source of inspiration. Throughout his career and in his retirement, Pelé received numerous individual and team awards for his performance on the field, his record-breaking achievements, and his legacy in the sport which he changed forever.

Life

Early years

Pelé's birthplace, Três Corações in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with his commemorative statue in the city's plaza pictured. Pelé also has a street named after him in the city – Rua Edson Arantes do Nascimento

Pelé was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, the son of Fluminense footballer Dondinho (born João Ramos do Nascimento) and Celeste Arantes. He was the elder of two siblings,[2] with brother Zoca also playing for Santos, albeit not as successfully. He was named after the American inventor Thomas Edison. His parents decided to remove the "i" and call him "Edson," but there was a typo on his birth certificate, leading many documents to show his name as "Edison," not "Edson," as he was called.[3]

He was originally nicknamed "Dico" by his family.[2][4] He received the nickname "Pelé" during his school days, when, it is claimed, he was given it because of his mispronunciation of the name of his favorite player, local Vasco da Gama goalkeeper Bilé, but the more he complained the more it stuck. In his autobiography, Pelé stated he had no idea what the name means, nor did his old friends.[2] Pelé presumed that it was an insult since the word had no meaning in Portuguese. He discovered in the 2000s that the word meant "miracle" in Hebrew.[5]

Pelé grew up in poverty in Bauru in the state of São Paulo. He earned extra money by working in tea shops as a servant. Taught to play by his father, he could not afford a proper football and usually played with either a sock stuffed with newspaper and tied with string or a grapefruit.[2] He played for several amateur teams in his youth, and led Bauru Atlético Clube juniors (coached by Waldemar de Brito) to two São Paulo state youth championships. In his mid-teens, he played for an indoor football team called Radium. Indoor football had just become popular in Bauru when Pelé began playing it. He was part of the first futsal (indoor football) competition in the region. Pelé and his team won the first championship and several others.[6]

According to Pelé, futsal (indoor football) presented difficult challenges: he said it was a lot quicker than football on the grass, and that players were required to think faster because everyone is close to each other in the pitch. Pelé credits futsal for helping him think better on the spot. In addition, futsal allowed him to play with adults when he was about 14 years old. In one of the tournaments he participated in, he was initially considered too young to play, but eventually went on to end up top scorer with 14 or 15 goals. "That gave me a lot of confidence," Pelé said, "I knew then not to be afraid of whatever might come."[6]

Relationships and children

A signed jersey donated by Pelé to Pope Francis

Pelé married three times and had several affairs, fathering seven children in all.

Sandra Machado was born from an affair Pelé had in 1964 with a housemaid, Anizia Machado. She fought for years to be acknowledged by Pelé, and to use his name.[7]

In 1966, Pelé married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. They had two daughters, Kely Cristina (born January 13,1967), who married Arthur DeLuca, and Jennifer (b. 1978), as well as one son, Edson ("Edinho", b. August 27, 1970).[8] The couple divorced in 1982.

Pelé's daughter, Flávia Arantes do Nascimento, was born on January 6, 1970, the daughter of Lenita Kurtz; Pelé was still married to his first wife. Flavia was raised in Porto Alegre by her mother and stepfather, Juarez Carvalho. It was only at the age of 17 that she learned the true story about her biological father.[9]

From 1981 to 1986, Pelé was romantically linked with TV presenter Xuxa.

In April 1994, Pelé married psychologist and gospel singer Assíria Lemos Seixas, who gave birth on September 28, 1996 to twins Joshua and Celeste through fertility treatments. The couple divorced in 2008.[8]

At the age of 73, Pelé announced his intention to marry 41-year-old Marcia Aoki, a Japanese-Brazilian importer of medical equipment from Penápolis, São Paulo, whom he had been dating since 2010. They married in July 2016.[10]

Health

Pelé in a wheelchair in 2018 at the unveiling of his statue in Rio de Janeiro

In November 2012, Pelé underwent a successful hip operation. In December 2017, Pelé appeared in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow where he was pictured with President Vladimir Putin and Argentine footballer Diego Maradona. A month later, he collapsed from exhaustion and was taken to hospital.[11] In February 2020, his son Edinho reported that Pelé was unable to walk independently and reluctant to leave home, ascribing his condition to a lack of rehabilitation following his hip operation.[12]

In September 2021, Pelé had surgery to remove a tumor on the right side of his colon.[13] He was released on September 30, 2021 to begin chemotherapy.[14]

In early 2022, metastasis were detected in the intestine, lung, and liver. On November 29, he was admitted to the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in São Paulo due to a respiratory infection after he contracted COVID-19 and for reassessment of the treatment of his colon cancer.[15]

Death

In December, 2022, it was reported that Pelé had become unresponsive to chemotherapy and that it was replaced with palliative care. On December 21, 2022, the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, where Pelé was being treated, stated that his tumor had advanced and he required "greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions."[16] Therefore, he was not allowed to spend Christmas at home, as his family had wanted.

Pelé died on December 29, 2022, at 3:27 pm, at the age of 82, due to multiple organ failure, a complication of colon cancer.[17] Pelé was buried at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica.[18]

Club career

Santos

1956–1962

Pelé in 1962, by then rated the best player in the world[19]

In 1956, coach de Brito took Pelé to Santos, an industrial and port city located near São Paulo, to try out for professional club Santos FC, telling the club's directors that the 15-year-old would be "the greatest football player in the world."[20] Pelé impressed Santos coach Lula during his trial at the Estádio Vila Belmiro, and he signed a professional contract with the club in June 1956.[21] Pelé was highly promoted in the local media as a future superstar. He made his senior team debut on September 7, 1956 at the age of 15 against Corinthians de Santo André and had an impressive performance in a 7–1 victory, scoring the first goal in his prolific career during the match.

When the 1957 season started, Pelé was given a starting place in the first team and, at the age of 16, became the top scorer in the league. Ten months after signing professionally, the teenager was called up to the Brazil national team. After the 1958 and the 1962 World Cup, wealthy European clubs, such as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United, tried to sign him in vain. In 1961 the government of Brazil under President Jânio Quadros declared Pelé an "official national treasure" to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.[22]

Pelé won his first major title with Santos in 1958 as the team won the Campeonato Paulista; he would finish the tournament as the top scorer, with 58 goals, a record that still stands today. A year later, he would help the team earn their first victory in the Torneio Rio-São Paulo with a 3–0 over Vasco da Gama. However, Santos was unable to retain the Paulista title. In 1960, Pelé scored 33 goals to help his team regain the Campeonato Paulista trophy but lost out on the Rio-São Paulo tournament after finishing in 8th place. In the 1960 season, Pelé scored 47 goals and helped Santos regain the Campeonato Paulista. The club went on to win the Taça Brasil that same year, beating Bahia in the finals; Pelé finished as the top scorer of the tournament with nine goals. The victory allowed Santos to participate in the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club tournament in the Western hemisphere.[23]

1962–1965

"I arrived hoping to stop a great man, but I went away convinced I had been undone by someone who was not born on the same planet as the rest of us."
——Benfica goalkeeper Costa Pereira following the loss to Santos in 1962.[24]

Santos's most successful Copa Libertadores season started in 1962. Pelé scored twice in the playoff match to secure the first title for a Brazilian club.[25] Pelé finished as the second top scorer of the competition with four goals. That same year, Santos would successfully defend the Campeonato Paulista (with 37 goals from Pelé) and the Taça Brasil (Pelé scoring four goals in the final series against Botafogo). Santos would also win the 1962 Intercontinental Cup against Benfica. Wearing his number 10 shirt, Pelé produced one of the best performances of his career, scoring a hat-trick in Lisbon as Santos won 5–2.[26]

Pelé with Santos in the Netherlands, October 1962

In March 1961, Pelé scored the gol de placa (goal worthy of a plaque), against Fluminense at the Maracanã. Pelé received the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, and ran the length of the field, eluding opposition players with feints, before striking the ball beyond the goalkeeper. A plaque was commissioned with a dedication to "the most beautiful goal in the history of the Maracanã."[27]

Pelé before facing Boca Juniors in the second leg of the 1963 Copa Libertadores Finals at La Bombonera.

As the defending champions, Santos qualified automatically to the semi-final stage of the 1963 Copa Libertadores. Santos became the first Brazilian team to lift the Copa Libertadores in Argentine soil. Pelé finished the tournament with five goals. Santos lost the Campeonato Paulista after finishing in third place but went on to win the Rio-São Paulo tournament after a 0–3 win over Flamengo in the final, with Pelé scoring one goal. Pelé would also help Santos retain the Intercontinental Cup and the Taça Brasil against AC Milan and Bahia respectively.[26]

In the 1964 Copa Libertadores, Santos was beaten in both legs of the semi-finals by Independiente. The club won the Campeonato Paulista, with Pelé netting 34 goals. Santos also shared the Rio-São Paulo title with Botafogo and won the Taça Brasil for the fourth consecutive year. Although Santos lost in the semi-finals of the 1965 Copa Libertadores, Pelé finished as the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals.[28]

1966–1974

In 1966, Santos failed to retain the Taça Brasil. The club did, however, win the Campeonato Paulista in 1967, 1968, and 1969. On November 19, 1969, Pelé scored his 1,000th goal in all competitions, in what was a highly anticipated moment in Brazil. The goal dubbed O Milésimo (The Thousandth), occurred in a match against Vasco da Gama, when Pelé scored from a penalty kick, at the Maracanã Stadium.[29]

In 1969, the two factions involved in the Nigerian Civil War agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire so they could watch Pelé play an exhibition game in Lagos. Santos ended up playing to a 2–2 draw with Lagos side Stationary Stores FC and Pelé scored his team's goals. The civil war went on for one more year after this game, but they stopped fighting to watch Pelé play:

When Pelé asked about the likelihood of a friendly match the club’s business manager replied, “Don’t worry. They’ll stop the war. It won’t be a problem.” ... after the match Pelé wrote, “My teammates remember seeing white flags and posters saying there would be peace just to see Pelé play.”[30]

After Pelé's nineteenth season with Santos, after scoring 643 goals for the club which was a record at the time, he retired from football. However, he later came out of retirement to play in the United States.[31]

New York Cosmos

Pelé entering the field to play his first game with the Cosmos, June 15, 1975
Pelé signing a football for U.S. President Richard Nixon at the White House in 1973, two years before joining the New York Cosmos

After the 1974 season (his 19th with Santos), Pelé retired from Brazilian club football although he continued to occasionally play for Santos in official competitive matches. A year later, he came out of semi-retirement to sign with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League (NASL) for the 1975 season.

Pelé made his debut for the Cosmos on June 15, 1975 against the Dallas Tornado at Downing Stadium, scoring one goal in a 2–2 draw.[32] Though well past his prime at this point, Pelé was credited with significantly increasing public awareness and interest in the sport in the US. Pelé opened the door for many other stars to play in North America. Giorgio Chinaglia followed him to the Cosmos, then Franz Beckenbauer and his former Santos teammate Carlos Alberto. Over the next few years other players came to the league, including Johan Cruyff, Eusébio, Bobby Moore, George Best and Gordon Banks.[33]

Pelé led the Cosmos to the 1977 Soccer Bowl, in his third and final season with the club.[34] In June 1977, the Cosmos attracted an NASL record 62,394 fans to Giants Stadium for a 3–0 victory past the Tampa Bay Rowdies with a 37-year-old Pelé scoring a hat-trick. In the first leg of the quarter-finals, they attracted a US record crowd of 77,891 for what turned into an 8–3 rout of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Giants Stadium. In the second leg of the semi-finals against the Rochester Lancers, the Cosmos won 4–1.[33] Pelé finished his official playing career on August 28, 1977, by leading the New York Cosmos to their second Soccer Bowl title with a 2–1 win over the Seattle Sounders at the Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon.[35]

On October 1, 1977, Pelé closed out his career in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos. The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd at Giants Stadium and was televised in the US on ABC's Wide World of Sports as well as throughout the world. Pelé's father and wife both attended the match, as well as Muhammad Ali and Bobby Moore.[19] Delivering a message to the audience before the start of the game—"Love is more important than what we can take in life"—Pelé played the first half with the Cosmos, the second with Santos. The game ended with the Cosmos winning 2–1, with Pelé scoring with a 30-yard free-kick for the Cosmos in what was the final goal of his career. During the second half, it started to rain, prompting a Brazilian newspaper to come out with the headline the following day: "Even The Sky Was Crying."[36]

International career

Pelé began playing for the Brazil national team at 16. During his international career, he won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962, and 1970, the only player to do so and the youngest player to win a World Cup (17). He was nicknamed O Rei (The King) following the 1958 tournament. With 77 goals in 92 games Pelé held the record as the national team's top goalscorer for over fifty years.

Pelé's first international match was a 2–1 defeat against Argentina on July 7, 1957 at the Maracanã. In that match, he scored his first goal for Brazil aged 16 years and nine months, the youngest goalscorer for his country.[37]

1958 World Cup

Pelé (number 10) dribbles past three Swedish players at the 1958 World Cup

Pelé arrived in Sweden for the 1958 World Cup sidelined by a knee injury, with the result that his first match was against the USSR in the third match of the first round. Once on the team he was indispensable. Against France in the semi-final, Brazil was leading 2–1 at halftime, and then Pelé scored a hat-trick, becoming the youngest player in World Cup history to do so. On June 29, 1958, Pelé became the youngest player to play in a World Cup final match at 17 years and 249 days. He scored two goals in that final as Brazil beat Sweden 5–2 in Stockholm, the capital.[38]

17-year-old Pelé cries on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar after Brazil won the 1958 World Cup final

Pelé's first goal, where he flicked the ball over a defender before volleying into the corner of the net, was selected as one of the top ten best goals in the history of the World Cup.[39] Following Pelé's second goal, Swedish player Sigvard Parling would later comment, "After the fifth goal, even I wanted to cheer for him."[24]

He finished the tournament with six goals in four matches played, tied for second place, behind record-breaker Just Fontaine, and was named best young player of the tournament.[40] His impact was arguably greater off the field, with Barney Ronay writing, "With nothing but talent to guide him, the boy from Minas Gerais became the first black global sporting superstar, and a source of genuine uplift and inspiration."[41]

1959 South American Championship

Pelé also played in the South American Championship. In the 1959 competition he was named best player of the tournament and was the top scorer with eight goals, as Brazil came second despite being unbeaten in the tournament. He scored in five of Brazil's six games, including two goals against Chile and a hat-trick against Paraguay.[42]

1962 World Cup

Pelé with Brazil taking on Italy's Giovanni Trapattoni at the San Siro, Milan, in 1963

When the 1962 World Cup started, Pelé was rated the best player in the world. In the first match of the 1962 World Cup in Chile, against Mexico, Pelé assisted the first goal and then scored the second one, after a run past four defenders, to go up 2–0. However, he was injured in the next game, which put him out of the rest of the tournament.[43] Brazil won the tournament but at the time, only players who appeared in the final were eligible for a medal. FIFA regulations were changed in 1978 to include the entire squad, and Pelé received his winner's medal retroactively in 2007.[44]

1966 World Cup

Pelé was the most famous footballer in the world during the 1966 World Cup in England, and Brazil fielded world champions like Garrincha, Gilmar, and Djalma Santos with the addition of other stars Jairzinho, Tostão, and Gérson, leading to high expectations for them. However, Brazil was eliminated in the first round, playing only three matches.[45] The World Cup was marked, among other things, for brutal fouls on Pelé that left him injured by the Bulgarian and Portuguese defenders.[46]

Pelé scored the first goal from a free kick against Bulgaria, becoming the first player to score in three successive FIFA World Cups, but due to his injury, a result of persistent fouling by the Bulgarians, he missed the second game against Hungary.[45] His coach stated that after the first game he felt "every team will take care of him in the same manner."[46] Brazil lost that game and Pelé, although still recovering, was brought back for the last crucial match against Portugal at Goodison Park in Liverpool by the Brazilian coach Vicente Feola. During the game, Portugal defender João Morais fouled Pelé, but was not sent off by referee George McCabe; a decision retrospectively viewed as being among the worst refereeing errors in World Cup history.[47] Brazil lost the match against the Portuguese led by Eusébio and were eliminated from the tournament as a result. After this game Pelé vowed he would never again play in the World Cup, a decision he would later change.[43]

1970 World Cup

Pelé trading card from the Mexico 70 series issued by Panini

Pelé was called to the national team in early 1969, he refused at first, but then accepted and played in six World Cup qualifying matches, scoring six goals.[48] Brazil's squad for the tournament featured major changes from the 1966 squad since players like Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Valdir Pereira, Djalma Santos, and Gilmar had already retired. However, Brazil's 1970 World Cup squad, which included Pelé, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Gérson, Carlos Alberto Torres, Tostão, and Clodoaldo, is often considered to be the greatest football team in history.[49]

The front five of Jairzinho, Pelé, Gerson, Tostão, and Rivelino together created an attacking momentum, with Pelé having a central role in Brazil's way to the final. The group stage match again England featured the goal he didn't score: In the first half of the match, Pelé nearly scored with a header that was saved by the England goalkeeper Gordon Banks. Pelé recalled he was already shouting "Goal" when he headed the ball. It was often referred to as the "save of the century."[50]

"I have scored more than a thousand goals in my life and the thing people always talk to me about is the one I didn't score." — Pele on the extraordinary save by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks in their 1970 World Cup match.[51]

Mário Zagallo, Brazil's 1970 coach, with Pelé in 2008

Brazil played Italy in the final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Pelé scored the opening goal with a header after out jumping Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich. Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, Pelé's leap of joy into the arms of teammate Jairzinho in celebrating the goal is regarded as one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.[52]

The last goal of the game is often considered the greatest team goal of all time because it involved all but two of the team's outfield players. The play culminated after Pelé made a blind pass that went into Carlos Alberto's running trajectory. He came running from behind and struck the ball to score.[53] Brazil won the match 4–1, keeping the Jules Rimet Trophy indefinitely, and Pelé received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament. Burgnich, who marked Pelé during the final, was quoted saying, "I told myself before the game, he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else – but I was wrong."[54]

Pelé's last international match was on 18 July 1971 against Yugoslavia in Rio de Janeiro. With Pelé on the field, the Brazilian team's record was 67 wins, 14 draws, and 11 losses.[48]

Style of play

Pelé dribbling past a defender while playing for Brazil, May 1960

A prolific goalscorer, Pelé was known for his ability to anticipate opponents in the area and finish off chances with an accurate and powerful shot with either foot.[55] Pelé was also a hard-working team player, and a complete forward, with exceptional vision and intelligence, who was recognized for his precise passing and ability to link up with teammates and provide them with assists.[56]

In his early career, he played in a variety of attacking positions. Although he usually operated inside the penalty area as a main striker or centre forward, his wide range of skills also allowed him to play in a more withdrawn role, as an inside forward or second striker, or out wide. In his later career, he took on more of a deeper playmaking role behind the strikers, often functioning as an attacking midfielder.[3] Pelé's unique playing style combined speed, creativity, and technical skill with physical power, stamina, and athleticism. His excellent technique, balance, flair, agility, and dribbling skills enabled him to beat opponents with the ball, and frequently saw him use sudden changes of direction and elaborate feints to get past players, such as his trademark move, the drible da vaca.[57] Another one of his signature moves was the paradinha, or little stop. Pelé would stop in the middle of a run-up to a penalty kick before shooting the ball; goalkeepers complained that this gave strikers an unfair advantage, however, and in the 1970s, FIFA banned this move from competitions.[3]

Despite his relatively small stature, 1.73 meters (5.7 ft), he excelled in the air, due to his heading accuracy, timing, and elevation.[55] Renowned for his bending shots, he was also an accurate free-kick taker, and penalty taker, although he often refrained from taking penalties, stating that he believed it to be a cowardly way to score.[51]

Pelé was also known to be a fair and highly influential player, who stood out for his charismatic leadership and sportsmanship on the pitch. His warm embrace of Bobby Moore following the Brazil vs England game at the 1970 World Cup is viewed as the embodiment of sportsmanship, with The New York Times stating the image "captured the respect that two great players had for each other. As they exchanged jerseys, touches, and looks, the sportsmanship between them is all in the image. No gloating, no fist-pumping from Pelé. No despair, no defeatism from Bobby Moore."[58]

After football

Pelé at the White House on 10 September 1986, with U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Brazil President José Sarney
Pelé, Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport, with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Rio de Janeiro, 15 October 1997

In 1994, Pelé was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF and as a UNESCO Champion for Sport.[59] In 1995, Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed Pelé to the position of extraordinary minister for sport, a position he held until 1998. During this time he proposed legislation to reduce corruption in Brazilian football, which became known as the "Pelé law."[60]

In 1997, he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.[61] In 2006, Pelé made the draw for the qualification groups for the FIFA World Cup finals.[62] He appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, following the handover section to the next host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro.

Pelé published several autobiographies, starred in documentary films, and composed musical pieces, including Sérgio Mendes' soundtrack for the film Pelé directed by François Reichenbach in 1977.[63] He also appeared in the 1981 film Escape to Victory, about a World War II-era football match between Allied prisoners of war and a German team. Pelé starred alongside other footballers of the 1960s and 1970s, with actors Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.[64]

In 2003 he joined with Sun Myung Moon in establishing the Peace Cup. An invitational pre-season friendly football tournament for club teams, it was held every two years in South Korea (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2012), and Spain (2009).

The most notable area of Pelé's life since football was his ambassadorial work. In 2012, Pelé was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh for "significant contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements".[65]

In addition to his ambassadorial work, Pelé supported various charitable causes, such as Action for Brazil's Children, Gols Pela Vida, SOS Children's Villages, The Littlest Lamb, Prince's Rainforests Project and many more. In 2018, Pelé founded his charitable organization, the Pelé Foundation, which endeavors to empower impoverished and disenfranchised children from around the globe.[66]

Legacy

Pelé being held aloft after winning the 1970 World Cup final in Mexico City. He is the only player to win three World Cups.
1969 Brazil postage stamp commemorating Pelé's landmark 1,000th goal

Pelé was known the world over as the greatest in football. He used his UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador's status to promote more than just football: "Every kid in the world who plays football wants to be Pelé," he said, "which means I have the responsibility of showing them how to be a footballer but also how to be a man."[67] Pelé was also known for connecting the phrase "The Beautiful Game" with football.[68] After a reporter asked if his fame compared to that of Jesus, Pelé joked, "There are parts of the world where Jesus Christ is not so well known."[54]

I used to go out and people said Pelé! Pelé! Pelé! Pelé! all over the world, but no one remembers Edson. Edson is the person who has the feelings, who has the family, who works hard, and Pelé is the idol. Pelé doesn't die. Pelé will never die. Pelé is going to go on for ever. But Edson is a normal person who is going to die one day, and the people forget that.[50]

Among the most successful and popular sports figures of the twentieth century, Pelé is one of the most lauded players in the history of football and has been frequently ranked the best player ever.[69] Among his contemporaries, Dutch star Johan Cruyff stated, "Pelé was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic."[24] Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto Torres opined: "His great secret was improvisation. Those things he did were in one moment. He had an extraordinary perception of the game."[24] According to Tostão, his strike partner at the 1970 World Cup: "Pelé was the greatest – he was simply flawless. And off the pitch he is always smiling and upbeat. You never see him bad-tempered. He loves being Pelé."[24] His Brazilian teammate Clodoaldo commented on the adulation he witnessed: "In some countries they wanted to touch him, in some they wanted to kiss him. In others they even kissed the ground he walked on. I thought it was beautiful, just beautiful."[24]

Former Real Madrid and Hungary star Ferenc Puskás stated: "The greatest player in history was Di Stéfano. I refuse to classify Pelé as a player. He was above that."[24] Just Fontaine, French striker and the leading scorer at the 1958 World Cup said "When I saw Pelé play, it made me feel I should hang up my boots."[24] England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore commented:

Pelé was the most complete player I've ever seen, he had everything. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Quick. Powerful. Could beat people with skill. Could outrun people. Only five feet and eight inches tall, yet he seemed a giant of an athlete on the pitch. Perfect balance and impossible vision. He was the greatest because he could do anything and everything on a football pitch. I remember João Saldanha the coach being asked by a Brazilian journalist who was the best goalkeeper in his squad. He said Pelé. The man could play in any position".[55]

Former Manchester United striker and member of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team Sir Bobby Charlton stated, "I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player."[24]

After retiring, Pelé continued to be lauded by players, coaches, journalists and others.

Pelé wearing the Cosmos' No. 10. The number was retired in his honor.

US politician and political scientist Henry Kissinger stated: "Performance at a high level in any sport is to exceed the ordinary human scale. But Pelé's performance transcended that of the ordinary star by as much as the star exceeds ordinary performance."[70] The artist Andy Warhol (who painted a portrait of Pelé) also quipped, "Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries."[24] Barney Ronay, writing for The Guardian, stated, "What is certain is that Pelé invented this game, the idea of individual global sporting superstardom, and in a way that is unrepeatable now."[41]

Young visitors to the Pelé Museum, opened in 2014, in Santos, Brazil

In 2014, the city of Santos inaugurated the Pelé museum – Museu Pelé – which displays a 2,400 piece collection of Pelé memorabilia. Approximately $22 million was invested in the construction of the museum, housed in a nineteenth-century mansion.[71]

When Pelé's death was announced, tributes were paid by current players, including Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi, other major sporting figures, celebrities, and world leaders. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said:

Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity.[72]

Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, declared a three-day period of national mourning.[73] The national flags of the 211 member associations of FIFA were flown at half-mast at FIFA headquarters in Zürich. Landmarks and stadiums lit up in honor of Pelé included the Christ the Redeemer statue and Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the headquarters of CONMEBOL in Paraguay, and Wembley Stadium in London.

Pelé's funeral, which involved his body being publicly displayed in an open coffin which was draped with the flags of Brazil and Santos FC, began at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos on January 2, 2023. Thousands of fans flooded the streets to attend the first day of the funeral service.[74] The public wake would continue to January 3rd, and saw more than 230,000 people in attendance. Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was also among those who attended the wake.[75] Brazil television channels suspended normal broadcasting to cover the funeral procession. Pelé's wife Marcia Aoki, his son Edinho, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez and president of the Brazilian Football Confederation Ednaldo Rodrigues were among those in attendance.[75]

Career statistics

According to the RSSSF, Pelé was one of the most successful goal-scorers in the world. He is ranked among the leading scorers in football history in both official and total matches. After his retirement in 1977 he played eight exhibition games, scoring three goals.

Club

Pelé's goalscoring record is often reported by FIFA as being 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. This figure includes goals scored by Pelé in friendly club matches, including international tours Pelé completed with Santos and the New York Cosmos, and a few games Pelé played in for the Brazilian armed forces teams during his national service in Brazil and the Selection Team of São Paulo State for the Brazilian Championship of States (Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais).[76] In 2000, IFFHS declared Pelé as the "World's Best and successful Top Division Goal Scorer of all time" with 541 goals in 560 games and honored him with a trophy.[77]

International

With 77 goals in 92 official appearances, Pelé is the joint-top scorer of the Brazil national football team (tied with Neymar).[76] He scored twelve goals and is credited with ten assists in fourteen World Cup appearances, including four goals and seven assists in 1970.[78] Pelé shares with Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, the achievement of being the only players to have scored in four separate World Cup tournaments.[79]

Notes

  1. ↑ According to Pelé, his birth certificate listed it incorrectly as October 21, 1940.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pele and Robert L. Fish, Pele, My Life and the Beautiful Game (Doubleday, 1977, ISBN 978-0385121859).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Pelé, Pelé: The Autobiography (Simon & Schuster UK, 2006, ISBN 978-0743275835).
  4. ↑ From Edson to Pelé: my changing identity The Guardian (May 12, 2006). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  5. ↑ Denise Winterman, Taking the Pelé BBC News (January 4, 2006). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Pele Speaks of Benefits of Futebol de Salão International Confederation of Futebol de Salão, May 24, 2006. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  7. ↑ Pele's daughter dies of cancer at 42 ESPN (October 17, 2006). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jason Pham, Pelé Had 7 Kids With 4 Women Before His Death—See All His Children & Where They Are Now Stylecaster (December 31, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  9. ↑ Marcelo Gomes and Rafael Valente, Filha de Pelé, Flávia Kurtz revela última conversa, diz que Rei temia a morte e anuncia novidade importante ESPN (May 12, 2023). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  10. ↑ Football legend Pele marries 'definitive love' The Belfast Telegraph (July 10, 2016). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  11. ↑ Pele recovering in hospital after collapsing with exhaustion The Telegraph (January 19, 2018). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  12. ↑ Pele: Brazil legend reluctant to leave his home, says son Edinho Sky Sports (February 11, 2020). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  13. ↑ Pelé: Brazil legend remains in intensive care as he recovers from surgery to remove tumour Sky Sports (September 11, 2021). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  14. ↑ Pele released from hospital to begin chemotherapy Deutsche Welle (DW) (September 30, 2021). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  15. ↑ Morre o Rei Pelé aos 82 anos ge (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  16. ↑ Pele: Brazil great's cancer has advanced, says hospital BBC Sport (December 21, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  17. ↑ Michael Drummond, Brazilian football icon Pele has died at the age of 82 Sky News (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  18. ↑ Camilo Rocha, George Ramsay, Tara John, Flora Charner, and Rodrigo Pedroso, Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at 82 CNN (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lew Freedman, Pelé: A Biography (Greenwood, 2014, ISBN 978-1440829802).
  20. ↑ Louis Massarela, Exclusive interview: Pele on his Santos years FourFourTwo (September 7, 2016). Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  21. ↑ Joe Marcus, The World of Pelé (Mason Charter Publishing, 1976, ISBN 0884053660).
  22. ↑ Cesar Chelala, Pele, Maradona and Messi: soccer's holy trinity The Japan Times (April 11, 2014). Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  23. ↑ Santos revive spirit of Pele BBC Sport (February 16, 2003). Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 24.8 24.9 "What they said about Pele" FIFA (October 23, 2010). Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  25. ↑ José Luis Pierrend, John Beuker, Pablo Ciullini and Osvaldo Gorgazzi, Copa Libertadores de América 1962 RSSSF, November 29, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Intercontinental Cups 1962 and 1963" FIFA, January 15, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  27. ↑ Alex Bellos, Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life (Bloomsbury, 2014, ISBN 1620402440).
  28. ↑ Juan Pablo Andrés, Frank Ballesteros, and Roberto Di Maggio, Copa Libertadores – Topscorers RSSSF, December 14, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  29. ↑ Why Pele's 1000th goal still matters, 50 years on Sportstar (November 19, 2019). Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  30. ↑ Jerrad Peters, Pele: Recalling the Moments That Defined His Career Bleacher Report (May 8, 2013). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  31. ↑ R.W. Apple Jr., Pele to Play Soccer Here for $7‐Million The New York Times (June 4, 1975). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  32. ↑ Michael Lewis, 40 years on: how New York Cosmos lured Pelé to a football wasteland The Guardian (June 2, 2015). Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Michael Lewis, How Pelé lit up soccer in America and left a legacy fit for a king The Guardian (September 30, 2017). Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  34. ↑ Tom Dunmore, Historical Dictionary of Soccer (Scarecrow Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0810871885), 198.
  35. ↑ Earl Gustkey, Pele's Contributions Gave Soccer a Foothold Los Angeles Times (August 28, 1999). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  36. ↑ Tony Kornheiser, 'Love! Love! Love!' Cries Pele to 75,646 in Farewell The New York Times (October 2, 1977). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  37. ↑ Bob Williams, Top 10: Young sporting champions The Telegraph (October 29, 2008). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  38. ↑ Will Hawkes, Flashback No 6. Sweden 1958: Pele's genius propels Brazil to first title The Independent (May 26, 2010). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  39. ↑ Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup™ Goal of the Century FIFA, May 30, 2002. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  40. ↑ 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden – Awards FIFA. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Barney Ronay, Pelé's revolutionary status must survive numbers game against Lionel Messi The Guardian (February 3, 2021). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  42. ↑ Martin Tabeira, Southamerican Championship 1959 (1st Tournament) RSSSF. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Hall of Fame: PELE International Football Hall of Fame (IFHOF). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  44. ↑ Pele and Greaves to get World Cup winners medals The Guardian (November 25, 2007). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 1966 FIFA World Cup England: Group 3 FIFA. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Simon Burnton, Why not everyone remembers the 1966 World Cup as fondly as England The Guardian (July 24, 2016). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  47. ↑ Nick Collins, World Cup final: 10 top World Cup refereeing errors The Telegraph (July 9, 2010). Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Roberto Mamrud, Edson Arantes do Nascimento "Pelé" – Goals in International matches RSSSF, May 23, 2004. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  49. ↑ Jack Bell, 1970 Brazilian Soccer Team Voted Best Ever The New York Times (July 11, 2007). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Simon Hattenstone, And God created Pelé The Guardian (June 29, 2003). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Emmanuel Egobiambu, 'Born To Play Football': Top Quotes About Brazil Legend Pele Channels Television (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  52. ↑ Coca-Cola Memorable Celebrations 1: Pele's Iconic Leap Of Joy After Scoring Brazil's Century Goal Goal, September 19, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  53. ↑ Andrew Benson, The perfect goal BBC Sport (June 2, 2006). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Gentry Kirby, Pele, King of Futbol ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 Frank Malley, Pele, the perfect player The Independent (December 23, 1999). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  56. ↑ David Miller, Maradona's genius cannot eclipse Brazilian master The Telegraph (December 12, 2000). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  57. ↑ Rob Hughes, The Greatest? For Century, Pele Eclipses Muhammad Ali The New York Times (December 29, 1999). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  58. ↑ Rob Hughes, A Shot That Captured the Bigger Meaning in Sports The New York Times (September 15, 2010). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  59. ↑ UNESCO ‘deeply saddened’ over death of football legend, Pelé United Nations, December 29, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  60. ↑ Pele Law on sports introduced in Brazil BBC News (March 25, 1998). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  61. ↑ Education: Sir Pele lends his support The Independent (December 4, 1997). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  62. ↑ Dave Blevins, The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer (Scarecrow Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0810861305).
  63. ↑ Pelé (1977) IMDb. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  64. ↑ Victory (1981) IMDb. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  65. ↑ Pelé receives honorary degree University of Edinburgh Annual Review 2012/13. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  66. ↑ Pelé Foundation. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  67. ↑ Ritabrata Banerjee, 70 facts about Brazil legend Pele Goal (March 31, 2023). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  68. ↑ Duncan White, The World Cup will show why football is still a beautiful game The Telegraph (June 12, 2014). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  69. ↑ Pele tops World Cup legends poll BBC News (June 12, 2006). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  70. ↑ Henry Kissinger, PELE: The Phenomenon TIME (June 14, 1999). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  71. ↑ Brazil inaugurates Pele Museum ESPN, June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  72. ↑ Gianni Infantino, Immortal - forever with us FIFA, December 29, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  73. ↑ Brazil starts three days of mourning as country lights up in memory of Pelé ITV News, December 30, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  74. ↑ Andrew Downie, 'I had to say goodbye': thousands pay their respects to Pelé in Brazil The Guardian (January 2, 2022). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 Tom Phillips and Ana Ionova, Brazil president joins mourners paying tribute to Pelé before funeral The Guardian (January 3, 2022). Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 Anirudh Menon, Pele's incredible numbers: hundreds of goals and 3 World Cups ESPN (December 29, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  77. ↑ IFFHS News and Statistics of the Week 51 IFFHS News (December 19, 2020). Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  78. ↑ Pele helps Brazil to World Cup title History.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  79. ↑ Robert Summerscales, Lionel Messi Equals World Cup Record Set By Cristiano Ronaldo And Pele Sports Illustrated Fan Nation (November 22, 2022). Retrieved June 21, 2024.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Bellos, Alex. Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 1620402440
  • Blevins, Dave. The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer. Scarecrow Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0810861305
  • Dunmore, Tom. Historical Dictionary of Soccer. Scarecrow Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0810871885
  • Freedman, Lew. Pelé: A Biography. Greenwood, 2014. ISBN 978-1440829802
  • Marcus, Joe. The World of Pelé. Mason Charter Publishing, 1976. ISBN 0884053660
  • Pelé. Pelé: The Autobiography. Simon & Schuster UK, 2006. ISBN 978-0743275835
  • Pele, and Fish, Robert L. Pele, My Life and the Beautiful Game. Doubleday, 1977. ISBN 978-0385121859

External links

All links retrieved June 21, 2024.

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