Simply he was, and for many people still is, the greatest football player of the world. Not a single thing was impossible for him: he won three World Cup with his National Team of Brazil (Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, Mexico 1970). He scored more than 1.200 goals during his long career (more than 1.300 official matches). He also won many national Leagues and Continental Cup ("Copa Libertadores"), with his team, the Santos FC of Sao Paulo do Brazil (Saint Paul). In the Sixties he was nick-named "O' Rey" (The King) and in the Seventies 95 peoples out of 100 knew his name. ("Wow, man, you're popular!" said Robert Redford, some years ago, after seeing Pelé give dozens of autographs in New York while he was not asked for one). In the late 1960's, when he and his team, Santos, went to Nigeria to play a few friendly matches, the ongoing civil war stopped for the duration of his visit. He finished his career in the New York Cosmos, in 1977. Now he is a United Nation's Ambassador and has been also Minister for Sports in his country, but, for the people who saw him make wizardries with his right foot, he is, now and forever, the biggest footballer in the world, and the one and only "King".


Pelé is by most people recognized as the world's greatest footballer ever and was named "Footballer of the Century" in 2000. He combined skill with great flair and understanding of the game, and he was invaluable to Brazil's national team. Played in 92 matches for Brazil and scored a remarkable 77 goals. Played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League from 1975-77. Had a video game named after him back in the 1980s called "Pelé's Soccer". Was named after Thomas A. Edison and originally named "Dico" by his family. His jersey number, 10, has since been worn by many of soccer's top stars such as Ronaldinho Gaúcho, 'Zinedine Zidane' and Diego Armando Maradona. Had a daughter, with Anisia Machado, named Sandra Regina Machado do Nascimento (died of cancer in 2006). She was married to Oseás Felinto and had two sons named Otávio and Gabriel. Son of Celeste and João Ramos do Nascimento (died in 1996). Father, with 'Assíria', of twins named Joshua and Celeste.