Who is PelePelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Born on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil, Pelé began playing soccer at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become a professional player. Throughout his career, he helped to expand the popularity of soccer and bring the sport to a global audience.
Pelé began his professional career at the age of 16, signing with the Santos Football Club in Brazil. He quickly made a name for himself as a skilled and talented player, scoring his first professional goal in his debut match. Over the next two decades, Pelé became known for his exceptional ball control, precise passing, and powerful shooting. He was also known for his athleticism and speed, which allowed him to outmaneuver opponents on the field.
In addition to his club career, Pelé also represented the Brazilian national team at the international level. He made his debut for the national team in 1957, and went on to score a total of 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil. Pelé is most famous for his performances at the 1958 and 1970 World Cups, where he helped lead Brazil to victory. At the 1958 World Cup, held in Sweden, Pelé was just 17 years old and the youngest player on the team. Despite his youth, he played a key role in Brazil's victory, scoring six goals throughout the tournament. At the 1970 World Cup, held in Mexico, Pelé was the star player for Brazil, scoring four goals and earning the title of "Best Young Player" of the tournament.
Pelé's success on the field helped to expand the popularity of soccer around the world. Prior to Pelé's emergence as a star player, soccer was primarily a sport popular in Europe and South America. However, Pelé's skills and charisma helped to bring the sport to a global audience, and he became a household name in countries all over the world. Pelé was also instrumental in popularizing soccer in the United States, where the sport had previously struggled to gain traction.