Pele: Exploring Biography & Life Story of The King of Football

Pele is a name recognised all over the world, not just as a football player, but as a sporting

legend.

A national hero in his native Brazil, he earned the nickname The King for his amazing exploits

on the field.

His full name of Edson Arantes Nascimento was shortened to Pele during his school days

when he kept mispronouncing the name of his favourite player, Bile.

During his career he made club appearances and played for the Brazilian national team

from to , a total of 92 times.

Pele was born on the 23rd of October in Trecoraces in Brazil, a city of around

, people in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil's fourth largest state.

Before he found fame and fortune in the sporting world, Pele grew up in poverty in Baru, Sao

Paulo.

As a youngster he served in tea shops to earn extra money, but before long the whole world

would know him by the nickname he'd hated at school.

Pele's talent was recognised early on by manager Waldemir de Brito, who took him to

Santos Football Club for a tryout and told directors he would be the greatest football

player in the world.

Pele made his debut for Santos on the 7th of September

By the next season he was given a starting place in the first team and became the league's

top scorer at the age of just

He continued to amaze fans with his unrivalled ability as a forward.

His most prolific goal-scoring season at club level was in , when he racked up a tally

of 66 goals.

The world took notice, with wealthy European clubs eager to sign the young star.

I had a lot of opportunities at Real Madrid.

I also had, at that time, I was invited to be a shareholder from the Fiat team, you know,

to come and play in Italy.

At that time I didn't understand well the business situation, I said, no, no, I told

Mr.

Agnelli, no, no, no, I'm going to stay here, I don't want to come.

Along with other stars like Pepe, Zito and Coutinho, Pele was part of a formidable team.

Santos would win Brazil's top-flight league, the Campeonato Paulista, ten times during

Pele's time at the club.

In he achieved the amazing feat of scoring his 1,th career goal.

He dedicated it to the poor children of Brazil.

So strong was Santos during Pele's tenure that they also won the newly created Copa

Libertadores, the South American club championship, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in both

and

Pele was named top scorer of the Campeonato Paulista a total of 11 times, and held the

title for nine years straight, from to

During his career at Santos he scored goals from appearances over 19 seasons

at the club.

By the time came for Pele to hang up his boots at Santos.

After almost two decades of thrilling the crowds across the globe, it looked like the

career of a footballing legend was at an end.

However, the following year he came out of retirement to play for the New York Cosmos

in the North American Soccer League.

He was motivated by the chance for himself and his family to learn English.

No doubt the prospect of a healthy paycheck also sweetened the deal.

That time I had the opportunity to learn English, to give opportunity to my family, my sons,

my daughter, to study English.

And I moved to the United States because of those, you know, proposals, but not only

because the Cosmos paid me a little bit more than Santos.

Pele's transfer to the Cosmos immediately sparked interest in the sport in the United

States.

Though well past his prime, he was the league's star attraction.

In he ended his career with an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos, in which

he played one half for each side.

He was happy to retire in good shape.

You know, I feel very, very, very sorry because I love soccer.

And it's like a part of my life I lost.

But it's very important when you stop in good shape, when you can stop in good shape.

Of course I'm going to miss a lot.

I'm going to be around, I'm going to stay in the United States.

I asked the coach if I can practice with the teammates sometimes.

But it's important you stop when you are in a good position, in the top of your career.

I know I'm going to miss, no doubt about it.

And football would miss the player who made history at Santos and brought awareness of

the beautiful game to the U.S.

Some of Pelé's greatest exploits and achievements came while playing for his country.

During his first international match in , he scored Brazil's only goal in a defeat

against Argentina.

Aged just 16 and 9 months, he became the youngest player to score in international football.

He played his first World Cup a few months later.

My first World Cup, when I was 17 years old, was a beautiful story because eight years

before Brazil lost to Uruguay in the World Cup in the 50s.

And my father was crying, with a lot of Brazilians there.

And then my father used to say, oh, men should be strong, men don't cry.

My father cried when Brazil lost the game.

Then I told him, father, don't worry, I'm going to win one World Cup for you, don't

worry.

I was 9 years, 9 to 10 years old.

Then eight years later, I was in Sweden with Brazil, with 17 years old, and Brazil won

the World Cup.

That's a gift from God, because I don't know why I promised to my father.

Pelé's international career would prove even more impressive than his club record.

He epitomised the unique so-called samba style of Brazilian football.

He was light and agile.

He had great balance and speed and amazing ball control.

He appeared to have the ball on a string whenever he played.

At the time of the FIFA World Cup, Pelé was the youngest player at the tournament

and at the time, the youngest player ever to play in a World Cup.

In the final, the first of his two goals was selected as one of the best goals in the history

of the World Cup.

Brazil easily won the final and Pelé had fulfilled his promise to his father.

He injured himself early in the World Cup and was unavailable for the rest of the

tournament.

Although Brazil won the Cup again, Pelé missed out on receiving a medal.

After failing in , Pelé lined up for Brazil again at the World Cup.

They prevailed in a spectacular game against England, before eventually beating Italy in

the final and giving Pelé his second World Cup medal.

His third medal came in , when FIFA retrospectively awarded him the record honour to acknowledge

his participation in Brazil's victorious campaign.

But back in , his World Cup career was coming to an end.

I think one should know when to give up.

I've been in the Brazilian team for a very long time.

I've just turned 30 and I would never make the World Cup in Munich in

I think if I was on the field, I'd be taking the place of someone who could be doing well

for himself.

I decided to give the Brazilian team the opportunity to prepare a player for my position.

Because if I was playing until then, I would be taking the position of a player who could

be useful for the Brazilian team.

Pelé's international career lasted 15 seasons, spawning 77 goals from 92 appearances.

With Pelé on the field, the Brazilian team racked up an incredible record of 67 wins,

with just 14 draws and 11 losses.

They also took out three World Cups.

Pelé's talent was so revered that he became known as the King of Football.

But what Pelé achieved on the field, he has rivaled with his off-field activities.

As well as taking on ambassadorial work since retiring from the game, he has also stayed

closely involved with sport in various capacities.

Away from the game, one of Pelé's major priorities has been his family.

On the 21st of February , he married Rosemarie dos Reis Colby, with whom he has three children

– Kelly Cristina, born in , Edson, also known as Edinho, born in and Jennifer,

born in

They divorced in , and Pelé went on to marry psychologist and gospel singer Assyria

Lemos Ciaxis in April

With the help of fertility treatments, Assyria gave birth to twins Joshua and Celeste in

September

To this day, Pelé remains devoted to the game that made him a superstar, and willingly

lends his legendary profile to promote good causes, such as the Great Ormond Street Hospital,

Harlem Youth Soccer, The Littlest Lamb and

I try to make the people happy, because I know everybody is the same in life.

I love the people, the people love me.

Since retiring from football, Pelé has also tried his hand at acting.

He has made over 40 appearances, as himself, on numerous TV shows, films and documentaries.

He has also acted in films like 's Escape to Victory, a movie about Allied prisoners

of war.

He also appeared in Hot Shot and A Minor Miracle, as well as many Brazilian productions.

Most of his roles have involved showing off his impressive talent on the football field.

His ease in front of the cameras has also made him a popular choice for documentary

makers, looking for an expert opinion on all things football related.

Pelé's film and television roles have not only served to boost his celebrity profile,

but of course, he will always be best known for his ability as a footballer.

saw the release of Pelé Eterno, a documentary charting the making and maintaining of a legend.

My film, I am very, very glad, and I thank all the crew, all the team who worked on that,

because it was five years to put it all together.

I have a proof for the young, for the new generation, then my grandson, when they grow,

if they want to see something about my life, I have the tape to show them, the goals, everything.

That's the reason I call it the bible of Pelé.

Strangely enough, there have been no other documentaries on Pelé.

It's a film that everyone can see, because it's a film for sport, for the family,

you have emotion, you have a lot of material to produce the film.

I don't know why until now they didn't discover that, but now, for example, my life,

I am very proud to be here in Cannes, because this is to talk about my life,

it is a film about my life.

The film brought him a new generation of fans.

From the start of his playing days, Pelé has battled with myopia.

Although it didn't impede his career, it became a concern later in life.

Pelé did not have any trauma.

A trauma, a blow to the head, could cause a retinal detachment.

But he has a history of being myopic,

and myopics have a higher tendency to have retinal lesions.

The worsening of his condition eventually led him to being confined to a wheelchair.

The degree of myopia is the same in both eyes,

and I can say he was a genius to have played the way he played

with the degree of myopia he had.

Pelé's life post-retirement has been almost as eventful as his playing career,

and he appears to take it all in his stride.

As a worldwide ambassador for football,

Pelé has appeared at many football functions and matches,

singing the praises of the game to crowds across the globe.

He has also been Minister for Sports in Brazil,

where his opinion on the game is always held in high regard.

He is especially proud to promote the game to the youth of the world.

Sport is the best thing to take the kids from the street,

and then soccer is the big sport in the world.

It's very cheap, and it's for poor people.

Everybody can be there.

That, I think, is the message.

Every place they have a youth tournament,

they invite me, and I stay there.

It's a pleasure to me.

Promoting the game, and sport in general,

to children the world over is a passion for Pelé.

He hopes that introducing young sportsmen

to the game will ignite a spark in them

and keep them off the streets.

I think the message that he's been delivering to the world

since he's been playing the game,

which is to respect the game, respect your opponent.

He talks about the children of the world,

which is what he wanted to leave the game to.

He's coming to us to touch us in a real special way,

and we're excited about him being here.

Pelé's next mission is to help improve conditions in his home country.

Coming from a poor family himself,

he believes that support for young kids in Brazil

is not what it should be,

and aims to encourage the young kids

to fulfil their dreams.

I want to do the best for the sport in Brazil.

My brother, they tease me,

they say, you were a king before,

now you are a minister.

Go back.

Because I think it's the time to do something.

We have a big potential in Brazil,

but the organisation is not well,

and we don't have support for the kids in Brazil.

Then I want to try to change this mentality.

The only sports event that rivals the World Cup is the Olympics,

and Pelé was one of his country's ambassadors

in Rio de Janeiro's bid to host the Olympics.

He travelled to Beijing Olympics in

in an attempt to drum up support for the bid.

For my Brazilian friends,

this is a very big responsibility for me

to represent Brazil here

to help bring the Olympics.

This is not just for Rio de Janeiro,

but for all of South America.

I hope we'll win this bid.

We're moving forward.

I'm so happy that I'm getting the same respect

from people as before,

even many years after I retired.

In late ,

the International Olympic Committee

announced that Rio's bid for the Summer Olympics

from the 5th to the 21st of August

had been successful.

It marked the first time

that South America had ever been chosen for the job,

and the news was received

with great jubilation by the host country.

I think it was the time,

first of all,

because when it was applied some time ago,

I think Brazil was not prepared.

Brazil now is prepared.

It's one of the eight economies in the world.

And then the other thing is,

after you have a lot of Olympics games

in the United States,

in Europe,

in Central America,

I think there is a moment

to have an Olympics game in South America.

And Brazil is prepared for that.

Rio de Janeiro is in good time

to prepare for that, no doubt.

The Olympics will further Pelé's campaign

to introduce kids in Brazil to sport.

In the meantime,

he will no doubt continue to plough his energy

into the many great causes he supports.

With his many achievements

on and off the pitch,

it was only a matter of time

before the world's greatest ever footballer

put his rags-to-riches story on paper.

In May ,

the world's most famous export

travelled to England

to launch his autobiography

simply titled Pelé.

At Central London's Virgin Megastore,

he was met by hundreds of adoring fans

who were treated to a book signing

with a difference.

Not only did they receive a personalised copy

of Pelé's book,

they also got a taste of Brazil

with some exotic samba dancing.

As Pelé happily signed autographs

and posed for photos,

despite the fame and fortune

his many talents have bought him,

Pelé has never neglected his fans.

At the ready with a wave and a smile,

he's always glad to sign an autograph

or pose for a photo

and has never let his status

as a football legend go to his head.

Since beginning his career

over half a century ago,

he has signed hundreds of thousands of balls,

shirts and photographs.

It's this dedication to his fans

that has seen his fan base continue

to grow around the globe.

He has also inspired many young footballers

to follow their dreams.

Never forgetting his humble roots,

Pelé's generosity

sets a great example for many modern-day footballers

who often seem to care more

about their bank balance

than their supporters.

Pelé's generosity is constantly renewed

with all kinds of different honours.

In April ,

an exhibition in Rio de Janeiro

opened to pay tribute to the football legend.

Titled Pelé,

The King's Art,

the exhibition contained over items

from Brazil, New York and Paris.

One of the show's feature items

was a display of Pelé's football cleats

preserved in gold.

At its opening, full of player and manager,

Mario Zagallo

spoke about Pelé with much admiration.

In fact, Pelé represented

everything in soccer

because of what he has done on the pitch.

Mario Zagallo played with Pelé

in the and World Cups

and served as manager

when the striker led Brazil

to the third world title in

As he walked through the exhibition,

Mario would have noticed

many magazines about Pelé

as well as all the different examples

of Pelé-inspired artwork.

The exhibition also included

a shoeshine box made from fish skeletons,

a symbol of Pelé's poor beginnings.

I think that from the shoeshine box to now,

God gave me this opportunity

to be an example for children.

From there, we can be a Pelé

or we will have many Pelés

if it's God's will here in Brazil.

Roberto Amaral,

who helped produce the exhibition,

believes Pelé embodies the essence

of the Brazilian people.

The organisers of the exhibition

were hoping to take Pelé, The King's Art,

all over Brazil.

This is just one of the many tributes

that Pelé has received

over his incredible career.

Others include being named

Athlete of the Century in

and as well as

the FIFA Player of the Century in

In March ,

as part of FIFA's centennial commemorations,

football's governing body

staged the FIFA

which recognised the greatest

living footballers

as picked by Pelé.

I think Pelé, like him,

is even more special

and I think when you're talking

about the list,

he didn't put it in sequence

so he's a special man as well.

Held at London's Natural History Museum,

footballers from all over the world

attended.

Fans were treated to an incredible

gathering of past and present

legends of the game.

They included Franz Beckenbauer,

Robert Perez, Patrick Vieira,

Giancarlo Vialli

and Japan's favourite son

Hidetoshi Nakada.

Pelé explained he had some help

in choosing the FIFA

But I think

with the support of some

friends of mine, some coach

gave me some advice

then we hit the point

where I feel comfortable

I did my best.

The FIFA wasn't restricted to just male footballers.

Pelé also included

who have been at the forefront

of developing the women's game.

With three World Cups,

club goals

and 77 international goals

to his name, Pelé is without

doubt Brazil's greatest ever footballer

and perhaps the best

the world has ever seen.

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