Football Legend: Pele "Edison Arantes do Nascimento"

Football Legend: Pele "Edison Arantes do Nascimento"

Originating from humble beginnings, Pelé is undoubtedly a football icon. Considered by the majority of football critics as the greatest football player of all time, Pelé's illustrious career shows the inherent talent of one born to dominate in his sport, and a genius in tactics, and ability.

Pelé's career, stretching from the 1950's to 1970's yielded impressive records, and victories. He is renowned for his deft dribbling, quick passes, pacing, power shots, goal scoring techniques, and heading ability. His abilities in tactical manuever were put to best use in theplaymaker position.

Notable achievement's and recognition Pelé has acquired have been FIFA's Player of the Century, International Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, football ambassador for FIFA, member of the National Soccer Hall of fame, distinguished all time top scorer for the Brazilian team, and the only football player to have been in three world cup winning teams.

Childhood and Early Days

In the humble town of Três Corações, Brazil on October 30, 1940, Edison Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé) was born. Named after Thomas Edison, Pelé's parents, Fluminense football player Dondinho, and Celeste lived in poverty. Pelé acquired his nickname due to a mispronunciation of a historical figure in grade school named Bilé. Edison would mispronounce Bilé as Pelé, and the nickname stuck. Pelé has stated that he did not like the nickname when he was young, and had punched a classmate for calling him Pelé.

Due to poverty, Pelé would shine shoes to earn extra money, and used a grapefruit or stuffed sock as a makeshift soccerball. His father Dondinho's career in football was cut short due to a knee injury, so he taught Pelé what he knew.

When he was a young boy Pelé's first football team consisted of the neighborhood kids. Named the "shoeless ones", the team had suprising success. There was a tournament in town, and the "shoeless ones" emerged as the victors in the last stages of the tournament. Pelé was named the top scorer, and the team changed their names to Ameriquinha.

World Cup

Turningpoint and Success

Pelé's victory attracted the attention of the Baquinho boy's team managed by a former Brazilian National football star named Waldemar Brito. Pelé along with a few of his Ameriquinho teammates were invited to join the team, this being the first time Pelé was being paid for playing the sport.

In 1954, the Baquinho team led by Pelé won the Youth Championship award, with Pelé scoring 48 in 33 games. In 1956 Pelé was persuaded to join the Santos Football club. Pelé made massive gain in his first professional team, gaining the top scorer position in only seven months, and at only 16 years old.

After ten months with the Santos Football Club, Pelé was invited to join the national Brazilian team. European clubs had gotten wind of Pelé during this time, and eagerly offered massive sums to sign the prodigy. Brazil quickly axed this move though by declaring Pelé a national treasure.

Pelé's success with the Santos Club was immediate. He quickly rose up in ranks, and became the top scorer in the league. Pelé's 1000th goal was scored in the Macana stadium in 1969 while matching against the Vasco da Gama team, a celebrated event in football history.

Pelé's first world cup match was against the USSR in 1958. This stressful match where Brazil needed to make a quick comeback fell on Pelé's shoulders. The winning point scored by Pelé required a swift, precise volley kick. After the match, Pelé fainted on the field, and was medically attended to. He gained consciousness shortly thereafter and was in tears, meeting congratulations from his teammates.

In the 1962 world cup, Pelé injured his knee attempting a long range shot. Fortunately the talented player Garrincha led the team, and scored Brazil the world cup.

In 1966, the world cup was marked by aggressive physical contact. Pelé was struck violently by Portugal's defenders three times, prompting him to leave the match due to fatigue, and injury. This marked a dark time in Pelé's career, who said he did not want to participate in the world cup anymore.

In 1970, Brazil asked Pelé to participate in the world cup. At first Pelé refused, but eventually was persuaded to join the team again. This proved the right choice, and with his teammate Garrincha beside him, Pelé and his team scored three world cups.