Pelé

Biography

Pelé became football's first global superstar before the word "superstar" meant anything. The 17-year-old who burst onto the world stage in 1958 scored a hat trick in the semifinal and two goals in the final, announcing a talent that would dominate for two decades. Three World Cup victories remain unmatched - he won in 1958, 1962 (though injured for most of it), and 1970, leading perhaps the greatest team ever assembled. The 1,281 goals are disputed - many came in friendlies - but the impact isn't. He made bicycle kicks famous, popularized football in America with the New York Cosmos, and became so synonymous with excellence that "the Pelé of [field]" became a template for greatness. When he died in 2022, Brazil declared three days of mourning.

Career Highlights

• 3 FIFA World Cup titles (only player ever)
• Guinness-record 1,281 career goals
• 77 goals for Brazil (tied record)
• 2 Copa Libertadores titles
• Named Athlete of the Century by IOC

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