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Today is Pele’s 81st birthday. The legendary star, who erased maps and borders, will celebrate his birthday at his home in Brazil.
Edson Arantus is the only player to have won three World Cups, including Don Nacimento. Throughout his career spanning more than a decade and a half, scoring goals has become a charm. Brazil’s all – time leading goalscorer. 77 goals in 92 matches. During his club career, he scored 1281 goals in 1363 games for the Santos and New York Cosmos in Brazil. An achievement unmatched by any other player.
The baby was born on October 23, 1940, in Tres Corco, Brazil. Ponnumon of Dondinho and Celeste Arantes, former football players of Fluminense Club. He later shed light on the whole world. The heart of the world was full of emotions.
The first match was played for Brazil in 1957. He retired from the national team in 1971. He played for Santos at the club from 1956-1974. Two years at the New York Cosmos from 1975. Active in public after booting.
Born poor. Growing up hearing jokes in an environment of racism. He played soccer with socks and paper. Before childhood, the extraordinary genius was evident. He won his first World Cup in his teens. The borders of the world have been erased. Became the most famous man on earth.
Pele is at rest in Brazil. Pele was recently admitted to a private hospital in Brazil after being diagnosed with a tumor in his colon. Pele recovered healthily after the tumor was surgically removed.
World Cup records
- Pele is the youngest scorer, youngest hat-trick scorer, youngest Final player and youngest Final scorer in World Cup history.
- Gunnar Gren, who competed against Brazil in the 1958 decider, made his Sweden debut before Pele was born. Never has such an age gap – 20 years – existed between opponents in a World Cup Final.
- Uwe Seeler, Pele, Miroslav Klose and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only men to score in four World Cups. The West German pipped the Brazilian to become the first to do so by less than three minutes in 1970.
- Vava, Pele, Paul Breitner and Zinedine Zidane are the only players to have scored in two World Cup Finals.
- Pele registered six assists at Mexico 1970 – a record for one World Cup. Four players managed five: Robert Gadocha at Germany 1974, Pierre Littbarski at Spain 1982, Diego Maradona at Mexico 1986 and Thomas Hassler at USA 1994. Pele also recorded an unprecedented three assist in deciders: one against Sweden in 1958 and two against Italy in ’70.
Football lovers everywhere will have the chance to relive memories from Pelé’s former team-mates, his family and friends, and to view birthday greetings from past and present global football stars, from FIFA Legends and from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. And, last but not least, the special birthday content will include an exclusive interview with O Rei himself.
“Pele took football to another level. Not only did he epitomise the beautiful game, but he also played with an effortless flair, the like of which had never been seen in Europe. It was just amazing to watch him on the pitch. He is nicknamed O Rei – ‘The King’ – and rightly so. I would like to wish Pele a very happy 80th birthday from the bottom of my heart, and above all health. Today is really a celebration day for the entire world of football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
As a child, Pele was taught football by his father Joao Ramos do Nascimento, who was a footballer himself. After the 1950 defeat of Brazil in the football world cup, Pele, just nine years old then, promised his heartbroken father that he would get the cup home.
In 1958, Pele kept his word and even scored the last goal of the match against Sweden, defeating the host country of the FIFA World Cup.
Sharing the lessons his father gave him, Pele said that he suggested that the footballer should train his weakest spots. Pele said that he started training with his left leg as he used to play with the right one. Speaking about his father’s lesson, Pele shared that Joao had said if he trains with his eyes closed, he will never see the ball. “Train to head the ball with your eyes open,” his father had said, shared Pele as reported by USA Today.
There are many achievements attached to the name of this Brazilian footballer. In the FIFA World Cup, he was a part of the winning side thrice — 1958, 1962, 1970.
Pele is not only a great footballer but also a humanitarian. In 1992, the UN appointed him as an ambassador for ecology and environment. He has seen poverty closely and understands its effect on the development of children. Pele has supported anti-poverty development goals set by the UN.
