Pelé
Brazilian footballer (1940–2022)
Pelé: from Santos to three World Cup titles
A teenage professional in Brazil
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, joined Santos while still a teenager. His performances for the club soon earned him a place with Brazil. At the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the 17-year-old scored in the semifinal against France and twice in the final against the hosts.
The World Cups and Santos years
Pelé was part of Brazil’s title-winning squads in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Injury curtailed his 1962 tournament, while he played a central role in the 1970 victory, scoring in the final against Italy. Between international tournaments, he remained closely identified with Santos and its overseas exhibition tours.
A final chapter in New York
After announcing retirement in 1974, Pelé returned to play for the New York Cosmos in 1975. He closed his playing career with a 1977 exhibition involving the Cosmos and Santos. His record connects a Brazilian club career with the global reach of the World Cup and the growth of professional soccer in the United States.