Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known by his nickname Pele, is a legendary Brazilian footballer widely regarded as one of the most successful and beloved athletes in sports history.

In 1999, he was awarded the prestigious title of Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, solidifying his status as a revered figure in the sporting world. 

Additionally, Pelé was honored by being included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential individuals of the 20th century. 

The following year, he received further recognition, as the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) named him World Player of the Century and jointly won the FIFA Player of the Century award. 

With an impressive record of 1,279 goals scored in 1,363 games, including friendlies, Pelé’s accomplishments have rightfully earned him a place in history as one of football’s greatest players. 

Profile

• Full name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento
• Stage name: Pele
• Born: October 23, 1940
• Age: 82 years old.
• Birthplace: Três Corações, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
• Nationality: Brazilin
• Occupation: Retired football player
• Height: 1.73m
• Parents: Dondinho and Celeste Arantes
• Siblings: Zoca and Maria Lúcia Nascimento
• Spouse: Marcia Aoki (m. 2016–2022), Assíria Nascimento (m. 1994–2008), Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (m. 1966–1982).
• Children: Edinho, Sandra Regina Arantes do Nascimento, Joshua Nascimento, Celeste Nascimento, Jennifer Nascimento, Flávia Christina Kurtz Nascimento, and Kelly Cristina Nascimento.
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $100 million

Early Life

When Pelé was born, his parents intended to name him “Edson” by removing the letter “i.” However, a typo on his birth certificate recorded his name as “Edison.”

Despite this, he was still called “Edson” by his family. Growing up, he was known as “Dico” in his household. 

During his school days, he acquired the famous nickname “Pelé,” supposedly after mispronouncing the name of his favorite player, Bilé, who was a goalkeeper for Vasco da Gama.

Interestingly, Pelé revealed in his autobiography that neither he nor his friends knew the meaning of the nickname, and it held no significance in Portuguese. 

He grew up with his two siblings, Zoca and Maria Lúcia Nascimento. Pelé’s father, Dondinho, was a professional football player and his first coach. 

Education

Growing up in poverty, Pele did not have the opportunity to receive a formal education.

Instead, he had to work from a young age to support his family, which meant prioritizing playing soccer over attending school. 

Despite this lack of formal education, Pele’s passion for the sport and innate talent allowed him to rise above his circumstances and become one of the greatest footballers in history.

His dedication and natural abilities were instrumental in shaping his career and solidifying his legacy as a legendary Brazilian footballer.

Career

Pelé’s football career is widely regarded as legendary due to his exceptional performances both on the club and international level.

He spent most of his career playing for Santos FC in Brazil from 1956 to 1974, achieving remarkable success. 

He won numerous titles at Santos, including multiple Campeonato Paulista championships and the prestigious Copa Libertadores twice.

Pelé also became Santos’ all-time top scorer with an incredible 643 goals. After leaving Santos, he had a brief stint with the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977 before retiring from professional football.

The Brazilian footballer was a key player for the national team from 1957 to 1971. He is the only player to have won three FIFA World Cups: in 1958, 1962, and 1970.

Pelé made history by becoming the youngest player to score in a World Cup final at just 17 years old 1958. 

His exceptional performance during the 1958 World Cup earned him the nickname “O Rei” (The King).

With an impressive record of 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil, he held the title of the national team’s top scorer for over five decades until Neymar surpassed him. 

Pelé’s career was marked by numerous trophies, remarkable goals, and unparalleled achievements, solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers ever.

Awards and nominations

• World Cups: The King of World Cups: Pelé is the only player to win the FIFA World Cup three times (1958, 1962, and 1970). He was also the youngest player to win a World Cup at 17 in 1958.
• Player of the Century: Double recognition: Pelé was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in 2000. He also shared the FIFA Player of the Century award in 1999.
• Copa America Top Scorer (1959)
• FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur (2014) – An honorary award for his contribution to football

France Football analysis suggests he would have won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards if it had been open during his playing career (started in 1956).

Additional Honors:

• Athlete of the Century (1999) by both the International Olympic Committee and L’Equipe (French sports publication)
• Member of the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team (since 1994)

Numerous awards and recognitions from his time playing in Brazil and the North American Soccer League

Guinness World Record:

Holds the record for most career goals (1,279 in 1,363 games), though this includes friendlies. 

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @pele
• Facebook handle: Pele
• Twitter handle: @pele

Personal Life

Pelé, the legendary Brazilian footballer, has had a tumultuous personal life. He had one son, Edson (“Edinho”), with his first wife, Rosemeri Cholbi, whom he divorced in 1982.

In 2014, Edinho was convicted and sentenced to 33 years in jail for money laundering related to drug trafficking, but the sentence was later reduced to 12 years and 10 months on appeal. 

Pelé had a high-profile relationship with TV presenter Xuxa from 1981 to 1986, starting when she was just 17 years old.

In 1994, Pelé married psychologist and gospel singer Assíria Lemos Seixas, who, through fertility treatments, gave birth to twins Joshua and Celeste in September 1996. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 2008.

After being born from an affair Pelé had in 1964 with a housemaid, Anizia Machado, Sandra Machado fought for many years to be acknowledged by Pelé as his daughter.

Despite his initial refusal to submit to DNA tests, Pelé eventually relented after a court-ordered test confirmed their relationship. 

Sadly, Sandra passed away in 2006 due to cancer. In a surprising turn of events, at 73, Pelé announced his plans to marry Marcia Aoki, a 41-year-old Japanese-Brazilian importer of medical equipment from Penápolis, São Paulo.

The couple had been dating since 2010 and first met in the mid-1980s in New York before reconnecting in 2008. They exchanged vows in July 2016.

Net Worth

Pelé, the legendary Brazilian footballer, had amassed a considerable fortune throughout his career, with an estimated net worth of approximately $100 million at his passing.

His success on and off the field made him one of the wealthiest athletes in history, solidifying his status as a global icon in sports. 

Despite his humble beginnings, Pelé’s dedication and talent enabled him to achieve financial prosperity that would ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come.

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