Pele Footballer Biography

Pele Footballer Biography

Pele, a prominent sporting figure and football player of 20th century Brazil, was referred to as the "King of Football" during his active years. He was widely regarded by football fans, critics, experts, and players as the best player of all time. He scored 1281 goals in 1363 games with his impeccable style, electrifying game, and impressive performance. He also made many records. It was his keen passion for the game and his knack for scoring superb goals that made him a star across the world. He was also praised for his exceptional heading ability, powerful shots, and impeccable goal scoring. With his best game, he made a place in the hearts of the people.

The biography of Pele footballer is shown in the following list-

Order. life introduction point life introduction

1. Nam Pele

2. Full Name Edson Arantes do Nascimento

3. Born 23 October 1940

4. Place of Birth Tres Corcos, Brazil

5. Nationality Brazilian

6. Profession Football Player

7. Father Dondinho

8. Mata Donna Celesti Arantes

9. Companion Xuxa

10. Wife He had 3 wives

11. Children 3 sons, 3 daughters

12. Playing Position Forward, Attacking Midfielder

About his complete life introduction is shown on the following basis.

 

Pele's early life

Pele was born on 23 October 1940 in Tres Corcoes, Brazil. Its father was Dondinho and its mother was Donna Celesti Arantes. He is the first son of his parents. He also has a younger brother. His father Dondinho was also a football player. Actually, his nickname was Deeco, but after his favorite football player "Vasco da Gama 'Bile'", his friends started calling him "Pele" by mispronouncing it. Since then he was called Pele.

Living in poverty, he took up various odd jobs as a child to earn extra money. He was initially educated in football by his father and played for various amateur teams in his youth. With a talent for the game and a style of his own, he found a place at the Bauru Athletic Club Junior, where he was coached by Valdemar de Brito. He led the team to three consecutive victories from 1954 to 1956. Apart from this, he also won many local indoor football competitions and championships. This is how he lived his early life.

(Pele career highlights) –

Pele's Career in the 1950s

Pele's career began when football star De Brito was convinced that he possessed unprecedented talent. He took Pele to Santos, where he was drafted into the professional club, Santos FC. Pelé signed the contract in June 1956 and played his first professional game in September. In the game, he scored his first professional goal against Corinthians Santo Andre. In early 1957, he made it to the team regularly and soon became the league's top scorer. It was his remarkable performance that earned him a spot in the Brazil national team. He played his first international game against Argentina in July 1957. The game was lost to Brazil 2–1, but here he scored his first international goal. Thus he became the youngest player to score in an international football game.

The year 1958 was a year of achievements for him. Not only that, but he also helped Santos win a top-flight professional football league in Brazil with 58 goals for Campeonato Paulista. This achievement was an unmatched achievement to date, he was also a part of the Brazil team, which won the World Cup. Pele contributed significantly to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals of the 1958 World Cup, scoring 6 goals in 4 matches. He broke many records in the 1958 World Cup.

Pele's Career in the 1960s

Santos was unable to retain his Paulista title in 1959, putting an end to his dream of success. But in 1960, he continued the game with all his might and showed his exceptional performance in the field of play, which helped Santos to regain the title. The club won the Taça Brasil with him as a top scorer. It was this victory that helped Santos play the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club football tournament. The year 1962 was the best club year of his career. Not only did he guide Santos to a thrilling victory in the Copa Libertadores competition, but he helped the club win the 1962 Intercontinental Cup and the Campeonato Brasileiro.

 

In the 1962 World Cup, he suffered a lot of injuries, due to which he remained mostly out of this tournament. In 1963, Santos became a successful defending champion of the Copa Libertadores, repeating the success of the previous year. Although the club was unable to achieve the Paulista Trophy, they recorded their victories in the Taça Brazil, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Río – So Paulo tournament. This was his post-win in 1964 and 1965, it was his contribution in taking the club to the heights. He was injured by frequent fouling by the Bulgarians, causing the 1966 World Cup to bring more pain to Pele. The result was that he was dropped from the Brazil team in the World Cup after the first leg. In 1969, he scored his 1000th goal against Vasco da Gama from a penalty kick at the Maracana Stadium. In this way, he had a career in the 1960s.

Pele's Career in the 1970s

The 1970 World Cup was the last World Cup in which Pele took part. He played all the matches and contributed 14 to 19 goals for Brazil in this tournament. Brazil won this world cup. Pele was named the "Player of the Tournament" for his impressive performances and extensive contributions. Pele's last match at the international level was against Yugoslavia in Rio de Janeiro on 18 July 1971. As for his club year, the 1974 season was his last season in which he played for Santos before retiring. In 1976, he came out of semi-retirement signing a contract with the Cosmos of New York. He led the club to the 1977 NASL Championship in his last season with the club.

Officially, on 1 October 1977, he played his last match. This match was an exhibition match between Cosmos and Santos. He played the first half match for Cosmos and the second half for Santos. His last official goal was a direct free-kick against Santos in the first half. This match was won by Cosmos 2 – 1.

 

It was his highly successful football career, he was appointed as the UN Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment in 1992. After this in 1995, he was appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. In this way, he had a football career.

Pele personal life

Pele was very open-minded in his personal life. He had 3 marriages. His first marriage was with Rosemary Dos Rais Colby in 1966. Due to this they also had 2 daughters, but they got divorced in 1982. From 1981 to 1986, he was romantically involved with his friend Xuxa, which helped him become a model. Xuxa was just 17 when Pelé started a date with her. Then in 1994, he married psychologist and gospel singer Assyria Lemos Seixas. She gave birth to 2 twins. After that, they separated. Recently in 2016, Pele married Marcia Oki. This has been his personal life till now.

Pele achievements

Pele achieved many achievements in his career, which are as follows-

He played an exceptional role in catapulting to win over his impressive line-up and to take the sport to new heights, earning him many prestigious honors and decorations, including the Gold Medal of Brazil, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. and the BBC Life Time Achievement Award.

In 1999, IFFHS voted him as the football player of the century. In addition, he was elected as the "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and Reuters News Agency.

In 2010, he was appointed as Honorary President of the Cosmos of New York.

In 2012, as part of his sporting achievements, he was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh for his significant contributions to humanitarian and environmental causes.

Some interesting facts about Pele (Pele unknown facts) –

Some interesting facts about Pele are as follows-

Pele scored 1283 first-class goals for Brazil, including 77 goals.

He won 3 World Cups, 2 World Cup Championships, and 9 So Paulo State Championships.

Pele is named after American inventor Thomas Edison, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

Pele was just 15 when he signed Santos. He played his first match on 7 September 1956 against FC Corinthians in which he scored 4 goals.

At the age of 17, Pele became the youngest winner of the World Cup. He also scored 2 goals in its final against home side Sweden.

Pele was appointed as the Minister of Sports of Brazil in 1995, serving until 1998.

In 1997, he was given the British Knighthood Honorary.

In 1999, he was elected "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee.

On 19 November 1969, he scored the 1000th goal of his career. For this, Santos also celebrated "Pele Day" on that day.

Pele once said that – “Penalties are a cowardly way to score”.

On August 1, 2010, Pele was introduced as Honorary President of the Cosmos of New York.

Pele scored his 100th World Cup goal against Italy in the final of the 1970 World Cup.

Pele was mentioned in the song "Ghetto Superstar" by rapper Prass.

In Brazil, she is often referred to as "Perola Negra" which means Black Pearl.

In 1993, Pelé was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame.

Pele is the only player to have been part of three World Cup-winning teams.