Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Aka Pele
The Story of Pele
Pele was born on October 23, 1940. His parents were Joao Ramos and Dona Celeste. Pele's favorite thing to do as a child was to play soccer with his friends in his home town. Pele eventually was put on a youth soccer team coached by Waldemar De Brito who convinced Pele's parents to let him leave home to join the professional club Santos at the age of just 15. In 1978 he won the International Peace Award for his work with UNICEF. Now he serves the United Nations as an ambassador for ecology and the environment.
Pele with his Club Team New York Cosmos
Bicycle Kick in the World Cup
Pele with his World Cup Trophy
Pele's Soccer Career
Pele signed with Santos, a professional Brazilian soccer club at the age of 15 and he scored his first goal at the age of 16. In his first season he led the league in goals and was recruited to play in the Brazilian national team. Pele is most known for his World Cup play as he won three of them. In 1958 he participated in his first one and scored 6 goals in 4 matches. In his second World Cup Brazil won quite easily although he didn't play as well. In his third World Cup Brazil didnt even make it to the semi finals and Pele only scored 1 goal. In his last World Cup Brazil won again and Pele finished with 4 goals. When Pele finally retired he had scored 757 in 812 games, an astonishing number.