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Pelé, whose full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was born on 23 October 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil, and passed away on 29 December 2022.

Pelé began his professional career with Santos FC at the age of 15. His incredible goal-scoring ability, speed, creativity, and dribbling skills quickly made him a global superstar. During his career with Santos, he helped the club win numerous Brazilian league titles and international trophies.

One of Pelé’s greatest achievements was with the Brazil national team. He is the only player in history to win three FIFA World Cups:

* 1958 (Sweden) – Won at just 17 years old.
* 1962 (Chile)
* 1970 (Mexico) – Considered one of the greatest teams in football history.

Career highlights

* Over 1,000 career goals (official and exhibition matches combined), with 1,281 goals in 1,363 games often cited.
* Played for Santos FC (1956–1974) and later New York Cosmos (1975–1977), helping popularize football in the United States.
* Named FIFA Player of the Century (shared with Diego Maradona through separate FIFA recognitions and public voting).
* Recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the Athlete of the Century.

Playing style

Pelé was known for:

* Exceptional dribbling and ball control.
* Powerful and accurate finishing with both feet.
* Strong heading ability despite not being very tall.
* Excellent vision and passing.
* Leadership and sportsmanship.

Legacy

Pelé transformed football into a truly global sport. His success inspired millions of young players worldwide, and he remains a symbol of excellence, humility, and joy in football. Even decades after his retirement, his achievements continue to influence the game.

A famous quote from Pelé is:

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.”

Pelé’s legacy lives on as one of the most iconic figures in the history of sport.

Spain’s winning goal against Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final came in the 106th minute of extra time after a prolonged spell of Spanish pressure.

❤️

IPL 2026 ❤️