One of the greatest professional football players ever, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, commonly known as Pelé, has an interesting legacy and cult status as a legend.
He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labeled “the greatest” by FIFA. Pele was among the most successful and popular sports figures of all time.
Here is a list of amazing facts about Pele
- Pele was named after American inventor Thomas Edison, his real name being Edson Arantes do Nascimiento.
- Pele was signed by Santos when he was 15. He scored four goals on his league debut in a match against FC Corinthians on September 7, 1956.
- At 17, Pele became the youngest ever winner of a World Cup. He also scored twice in the final against home side Sweden.
- Pele scored a total of 1,283 first-class goals, including 77 for Brazil
- He won three World Cups, two World Club Championships and nine Sao Paulo State Championships.
- On November 19, 1969, Pele scored his 1000th career goal. Hundreds raced onto the pitch to mob the Brazilian star and it took over 30 minutes for the game to resume.
- At Santos, November 19 is known as ‘Pele Day’ to celebrate the anniversary of his 1,000th goal
- Pele is fifth on the all-time World Cup goalscorers list with 12 – and the second highest-placed Brazilian behind Ronaldo
- When Pele retired, J.B. Pinheiro, the Brazilian ambassador to the United Nations, said: “Pele played football for 22 years, and in that time he did more to promote world friendship and fraternity than any other ambassador anywhere.”
- In 1967, a 48-hour ceasefire was declared in Nigeria so that Federal and Rebel troops could watch Pele play on a visit to the war-torn nation
- Pele has helped raise millions of pounds for charitable causes including Great Ormond Street and Harlem Street Soccer.
- Pele died on Thursday at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo and his daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Read Also: Just In: Pele’s Daughter, Kely Confirms Death Of Football Legend
