🎂O Rei’s birthday: fond memories of Pelé | OneFootball

The world of football commemorates today what would have been the 85th birthday of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, eternally known as King Pelé. Born in Três Corações (Minas Gerais) in 1940, Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, but his legacy remains the ultimate expression of art, joy, and heart in the sport.

The Only Three-Time World Champion

Pelé made history wearing the jerseys of Santos, the New York Cosmos, and, of course, the Brazilian National Team. He played in four World Cups, a record that translates into three titles: 1958, 1962, and 1970.

His emergence in Sweden 1958, at just 17 years old, amazed the planet, while the 1970 World Cup in Mexico is considered by many as his "masterpiece," a display of talent that crowned what many consider the greatest team of all time.

The Numbers of His Majesty

Pelé's impact is measured in nearly unreachable records. His total numbers record 1,283 goals scored in 1,366 matches, a figure that underscores his absolute dominance in the area.

Although FIFA officially credits him with 77 goals in 91 matches with Brazil, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) raises the count to 95 goals in 115 matches. In any case, the "Athlete of the 20th Century" left an indelible mark, not only for the number of times he made the nets tremble but for the spectacular way he did it. His throne, in the history of football, is and always will be his.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

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