We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Good Was Soccer Player Pelé?

Updated: Feb 29, 2016
Views: 3,946
Share

Retired soccer star Pelé is widely regarded as one of the best athletes ever to play the "beautiful game." He was so popular, in fact, that in 1967, the opposing sides in the Biafran War in Nigeria declared a two-day truce so they could watch Pelé play soccer in Lagos. But how good was he, by the numbers? Pelé's stats are pretty impressive -- in a 22-year career, he scored 1,281 goals and won three World Cups. In his first full season with the Brazilian soccer club Santos, he scored 32 goals. He was only 17 years old.

Born into grinding poverty in Brazil in 1940, Pelé started out playing soccer with the kids in his neighborhood. He played for a youth league and then signed with Santos when he was 15. He scored his first goal with the team before his 16th birthday. Pelé has since parlayed his fame into support for numerous humanitarian causes. He was named FIFA Co-Player of the Century in 1999.

More about Pelé:

  • Pelé announced his retirement in 1974, but then decided to play for the New York Cosmos. He played his final game -- an exhibition match against Santos -- in 1977.
  • In 1978, Pelé was awarded the International Peace Award for his work with UNICEF.
  • Pelé has served as Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport and was appointed as a United Nations ambassador for ecology and the environment.
Share
Amy Pollick
By Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at WiseGeek. With experience in various roles and numerous articles under her belt, she crafts compelling content that informs and engages readers across various platforms on topics of all levels of complexity.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at WiseGeek. With...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-good-was-soccer-player-pele.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.