PelĂ© is a Brazilian soccer player widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in TrĂȘs CoraçÔes, Brazil. PelĂ©'s father was a professional soccer player, and he began playing the sport at a young age.
Pelé began his professional career with Santos FC in 1956 and quickly rose to prominence, leading the team to numerous victories in domestic and international competitions. He helped Brazil win its first World Cup in 1958 at the age of just 17, scoring two goals in the final match against Sweden. Pelé went on to win two more World Cups with Brazil in 1962 and 1970, scoring a total of 12 goals in the three tournaments.
In addition to his success with the Brazilian national team, Pelé also had a successful club career. He spent most of his career with Santos FC, leading the team to numerous domestic and international titles. In 1974, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, helping to popularize the sport in the United States. He retired from professional soccer in 1977, having scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.
Pelé's skill and sportsmanship on the field earned him numerous accolades, including three FIFA World Cup titles, the Ballon d'Or award for the European Footballer of the Year, and induction into the International Football Hall of Fame. He was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
In addition to his soccer career, Pelé has also been involved in various charitable and humanitarian efforts. He has worked with UNICEF to promote children's rights and has served as a goodwill ambassador for the organization. He has also worked to promote peace and reconciliation in various parts of the world, including efforts to bring an end to the civil war in Angola.
Despite his many accomplishments on and off the field, Pelé remains a humble and gracious individual. He is widely respected and admired for his contributions to the sport of soccer and his dedication to helping others. His legacy as a soccer player and humanitarian will likely continue to inspire and influence people for generations to come.
