Americas · Modern Era

Who was Pelé?

A Brazilian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

Pelé (1940–2022) is remembered as a key figure from Brazil, known for their role: Footballer.

Country / regionBrazil · Americas
Known forFootballer
Years1940–2022
BornTrês Corações, Brazil
DiedSão Paulo, Brazil

Why is Pelé important?

Pelé stands out in history for a specific reason: Scored a Guinness World Record 1,279 goals across his playing career. Their story helps place major events, ideas, and cultural change in a wider historical context.

Key achievements

  • Scored a Guinness World Record 1,279 goals across his playing career
  • Was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999
  • Won multiple FIFA World Cup titles with the Brazilian national team
  • Was named a joint FIFA Player of the Century alongside Diego Maradona

A fast fact

Pelé was one of two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award, alongside Diego Maradona.

Legacy

Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history, and his career helped popularize the sport globally.

Brazilmodern historyhistory makerssports

What is Pelé best known for?

A Brazilian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

When and where did Pelé live?

Pelé was born in Três Corações, Brazil (1940–2022) and died in São Paulo, Brazil.

What is Pelé's lasting legacy?

Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history, and his career helped popularize the sport globally.

How can I learn more about Pelé?

Use this profile as a starting point, then consult a library, museum, encyclopedia, or primary-source collection for deeper study.