Pelé Biography: Personal Stories and Tributes from Football Legends

He is a global icon whose name is synonymous with the sport itself. Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, Pelé’s journey from the streets of São Paulo to the pinnacle of international fame is a tale of extraordinary talent, relentless dedication, and profound influence on the game. His ability to dazzle crowds with his impeccable skill, visionary play, and prolific goal-scoring helped redefine football during the mid-20th century, making the sport what it is today. This biography delves into the life of the man who not only won three FIFA World Cups but also became a beacon of hope and inspiration far beyond the grassy pitches. Pelé’s story is not merely about the goals he scored but about the indelible mark he left on the world.

Pelé: Early Life and Childhood

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, grew up in the city of Bauru, Brazil. His upbringing was marked by poverty, and he honed his soccer skills by playing barefoot in the streets with a makeshift ball. Let’s delve into the details of his early life:

• Nickname Origins: Originally nicknamed “Dico,” Pele’s friends started calling him “Pele” after his favorite football player, Vasco da Gama ‘Bile’, whom he mispronounced as such. The name stuck, and it became synonymous with the legendary footballer.
• Struggles and Determination: Struck by poverty, young Pele took up various odd jobs as a child to earn extra money. His father taught him to play soccer, and he played for various amateur teams during his youth. Blessed with innate talent and a unique style, he found his place at the Bauru Athletic Club juniors, coached by Waldemar de Brito. Under his leadership, the team achieved three consecutive victories from 1954 to 1956 and won several local indoor football competitions and championships.

Pele’s journey from these humble beginnings to becoming a global football icon is nothing short of remarkable. His exceptional performances on the field and his impact off the pitch continue to inspire generations of football enthusiasts worldwide. 🌟👟⚽

Pelé: Full Information

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Nickname	Pelé
Birth Date	October 23, 1940
Death of Birth	Died December 29, 2022
Age	83 (as of 2024)
Place of Birth	Três Corações, Brazil
Nationality	Brazilian
Profession	Retired Football Player
Height	5’8″ (173 cm)
Weight	150 lbs (68 kg)
Eye Color	Brown
Hair Color	Black (originally, now grey)
Gender	Male
Religion	Roman Catholic
Languages Spoken	Portuguese, some English

Pelé: Family Members Name

Family Member	Relation
Celeste Arantes	Mother
João Ramos do Nascimento (Dondinho)	Father
Assíria Lemos Seixas	Ex-Wife (1994-2008)
Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi	Ex-Wife (1966-1982)
Marcia Aoki	Wife (since 2016)
Kelly Cristina Nascimento	Daughter
Edson Cholbi Nascimento (Edinho)	Son
Jennifer Nascimento	Daughter
Joshua Nascimento	Son
Celeste Nascimento	Daughter

Pelé: Education & Qualification

Level	Institution	Focus/Area of Study	Additional Notes
Basic	Not Publicly Detailed	General Education	Pelé did not pursue higher education formally, focusing early on his football career.
Sports Training	Bauru Athletic Club	Football Training	Trained under Waldemar de Brito, who discovered his talent and helped develop his skills.

Pelé: Social Media link

Social Media Platform	Link
Twitter	twitter.com/Pele
Facebook	facebook.com/Pele
Instagram	instagram.com/Pele

Pelé: International Football Career

Years	National Team	Appearances	Goals	Major Achievements/Notes
1957–1971	Brazil	92	77	won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962, and 1970
				Youngest player to win a World Cup (1958)
				scored a hat-trick in the 1958 World Cup semifinal
				scored in the finals of 1958 and 1970 World Cups
				Named Best Young Player of the 1958 World Cup
				only player to win three FIFA World Cups
				scored the most goals by a Brazilian in World Cup history

Pelé: Club Football Career

Years	Club	Appearances	Goals	Major Achievements/Notes
1956–1974	Santos FC	656	643	Won 10 Paulista Championships
				won six Brazilian Championships (Taça Brasil and Roberto Gomes Pedrosa Tournament)
				won two Copa Libertadores titles
				won two Intercontinental Cups
				Intercontinental Supercup (1968)
				Recopa Sudamericana (1968)
1975–1977	New York Cosmos	64	37	won the NASL Championship in 1977
				contributed significantly to the popularization of soccer in the U.S.

A inspiração e o amor marcaram a jornada de Rei Pelé, que faleceu no dia de hoje.

Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
.
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.

Love, love and love, forever. pic.twitter.com/CP9syIdL3i

— Pelé (@Pele) December 29, 2022

Pelé: Awards & Achievements

Date/Year	Event/Award	Description/Notes
June 7, 1957	Professional Debut for Santos FC	Scored a goal in a 7-1 victory against Corinthians Santo André.
1958	FIFA World Cup Debut	He played his first World Cup match for Brazil at age 17, scoring a goal.
Multiple years	FIFA World Cup Champion	Won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
1970	FIFA World Cup Golden Ball	Best player of the tournament in the 1970 World Cup.
1970 & 1973	South American Footballer of the Year	Awarded by the newspaper El Mundo.
1999	FIFA Player of the Century	Shared with Diego Maradona in a controversial split decision.
1999	International Olympic Committee Athlete of the Century	Recognized for his impact in football and his global influence.
1999	Time magazine’s 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century	Included for his sports achievements and humanitarian efforts.
2014	FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur	honorary award given for his outstanding career and contribution to football.

Commonly Asked Questions

1. What were Pelé’s early struggles?
   • Answer: Struck by poverty, young Pele took up various odd jobs as a child to earn extra money. His father taught him to play soccer, and he played for various amateur teams during his youth.
2. Which team did Pelé play for during his youth?
   • Answer: Pele found his place at the Bauru Athletic Club juniors, coached by Waldemar de Brito. Under his leadership, the team achieved three consecutive victories from 1954 to 1956 and won several local indoor football competitions and championships.
3. What impact did Pelé have on football?
   • Answer: Pele’s exceptional performances on the field and his impact off the pitch continue to inspire generations of football enthusiasts worldwide. He remains a global football icon.

Feel free to ask more questions if you’d like to learn more about this remarkable athlete! ⚽🌟👟