Brazilian football legend Pelé, whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 82.
Throughout his career, Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won three FIFA World Cups with the Brazilian national team and scored over 1,000 goals in his career.
Pelé was born on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil. He began playing football at a young age and made his professional debut for Santos FC at the age of 15.
He quickly rose to prominence, scoring a hat-trick in his first game for the club and helping them win the 1958 Campeonato Paulista.
Pelé’s talent and success on the pitch earned him a spot on the Brazilian national team, where he helped lead the team to victory in the 1958, 1962, and 1970 World Cups.
He scored a total of 77 goals for Brazil, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer.
In addition to his success on the field, Pelé also had a successful career off the field. He endorsed a number of products and worked as a television commentator and actor.
He was also involved in numerous charitable causes, including working as a United Nations ambassador for ecology and the environment.
Pelé’s impact on football and his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. He will be deeply missed by fans, players, and coaches all around the world.
