Pele

Pele, born on October 23, 1940, in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He began his professional career with Santos FC in 1956, where he won multiple titles, including two Copa Libertadores and ten Sao Paulo State Championships.

Known for his exceptional skill, scoring ability, and versatility, Pele has won numerous individual awards, including three FIFA World Cup titles with Brazil. He holds multiple records, such as the most career goals in football history.

Off the pitch, Pele is also recognized for his contributions to various charitable causes, inspiring millions worldwide.

Santos FC

• Emergence and Glory: Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Pele moved to Bauru, Sao Paulo, as a child and joined the Santos FC youth academy. He made his first-team debut for Santos in 1956 and went on to win numerous titles, including two Copa Libertadores and ten Sao Paulo State Championships.

New York Cosmos

• Final Career Stage: In 1975, Pele signed with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League, where he further popularized the sport in the United States before retiring in 1977.

Brazil National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for Brazil in 1957.

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup: Winner in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
• Pele is Brazil's all-time top scorer and is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

• Position: Primarily a forward, but also excelled as a midfielder.
• Skills: Known for his exceptional skill, creativity, finishing, and goal-scoring ability. Pele was celebrated for his versatility, powerful shots, and heading ability.

• Family: Pele has been married three times and has seven children.
• Philanthropy: Pele is involved in various charitable activities and has served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations and UNESCO.

• Pele is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his impact on the sport and his status as an icon, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Goals in Career:

• Over 1280 goals

Most Hat-tricks:

• Over 92 hat-tricks

Most World Cup Titles:

• Three times World Cup winner

Most Appearances and Goals for Brazil:

• Most capped player and top scorer

Books

• Harris, H. (2013) Pele: The Autobiography. London: Simon & Schuster.
• Bellos, A. (2002) Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Websites

• FIFA: Information about Pele’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
• Santos FC: Details about Pele’s career at Santos FC. Available at: https://www.santosfc.com.br
• New York Cosmos: Official site with updates on Pele’s performance and records at New York Cosmos. Available at: https://www.nycosmos.com

Articles

• BBC Sport: Pele: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48839800
• The Guardian: Pele’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/pele

Interviews and Documentaries

• Pele (2021): Directed by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas. This Netflix documentary provides a detailed look at Pele’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Pele, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com