Pelé, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Born in Brazil in 1940, Pelé began his professional career at the age of 15 with Santos FC, a Brazilian club team. Over the course of his career, he scored an incredible 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, making him one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of the sport.
Pelé's impact on the game of soccer was enormous. He was known for his exceptional dribbling skills, his ability to score goals from anywhere on the field, and his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He was also a versatile player who could play any position on the field, and was equally adept at defense as he was at attacking.
In addition to his technical skills, Pelé was also known for his leadership on and off the field. He was a team player who always put the needs of the team above his own, and he inspired his teammates with his relentless work ethic and determination.
Pelé's career highlights include three World Cup victories with the Brazilian national team, as well as numerous domestic and international club titles. He was also named FIFA World Cup Best Young Player in 1958, and was awarded the Ballon d'Or (awarded to the best soccer player in the world) in 1970 and 1971.
After retiring from professional soccer in 1977, Pelé remained involved in the sport as a coach, ambassador, and television commentator. He was inducted into the Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame in 1994 and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1998. Today, Pelé is remembered as a soccer legend and an inspiration to players and fans around the world.