Made his professional debut for Santos FC at age 15.
Helped Santos dominate Brazilian and international football during the 1950s and 1960s.
Won numerous league titles, two Copa Libertadores championships, and two Intercontinental Cups.
Later played for New York Cosmos, helping increase soccer's popularity in the United States.
Played for the Brazil national football team from 1957 to 1971.
Scored 77 goals for Brazil in official matches.
Won three FIFA World Cups:
1958 FIFA World Cup
1962 FIFA World Cup
1970 FIFA World Cup
Pelé was known for:
Excellent dribbling
Powerful shooting
Precise passing
Speed and athleticism
Ability to score with both feet and his head
Over 1,000 career goals in official and exhibition matches.
Youngest player to score in a World Cup (17 years old in 1958).
Only player to win three FIFA World Cups.
Became a global ambassador for football.
Served as sports minister in Brazil.
Worked with organizations including United Nations on humanitarian causes.
Many football legends, including Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, have been compared to Pelé, but he remains the only player to have won three World Cups.
Pelé produced some of the most famous moments in football history:
1958 World Cup (Age 17)
At the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Pelé became an international star.
Scored a hat-trick against France in the semifinal.
Scored two goals in the final against Sweden.
Brazil won its first World Cup.
1970 World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup is often considered the greatest World Cup team ever.
Pelé scored 4 goals in the tournament.
Led a team featuring stars such as Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto Torres.
Brazil defeated Italy 4–1 in the final.
Johan Cruyff: "Pelé was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic."
Franz Beckenbauer: "Pelé is the greatest player of all time."
Nelson Mandela once described meeting Pelé as an experience that connected people across cultures.
Pelé became one of the first truly global sports celebrities.
Appeared in films, documentaries, and advertisements.
Helped popularize football in many countries.
Met world leaders, royalty, and famous entertainers.
Inspired millions of children to play football.
Matches for Santos FC: over 600 league appearances.
Goals for Santos FC: over 600 league goals.
International caps for Brazil: 92.
International goals for Brazil: 77.
Supporters of Pelé point to:
Three World Cup titles.
Extraordinary goal-scoring record.
Success at both club and international levels.
Influence on the worldwide growth of football.
Dominance during an era with fewer protections for attacking players.
Pelé's name remains synonymous with football excellence. Stadiums, museums, books, films, and awards around the world continue to celebrate his achievements. His iconic number 10 shirt is still one of the most recognizable symbols in sport.