Know Something about the Prince of football (Pele)

Synopsis

Born on 23, 1940 in Tres Coracois , Barzil.Soccer legend Pele became a superstar with his performance in the 1958 World Cup football.Pele played professionally in Brazil for two decades, wining three World cup along the way,before joining the New York Cosmos late in his career.Named FIFA co-Player of the century in 1999.He is a global ambassador for soccer and other humanitarian causes.

Childhood

Pele was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on 23, 1940 in Tres Coracois , Barzil.He was the first child of his father: Joao Ramos & mother : Dona Celeste.Named after Thomas Edison & nickname "Dico",Pele moved with his family to the city of Bauru as a young boy.

Joao Ramos,better known as "Dondinho",struggled to earn a living as soccer player,and Pele grew up in poverty.Still,he developed a rudimentary talent for soccer by kicking a rolled-up sock stuffed with rags around the streets of Bauru.The origin of "Pele" nickname is unclear,though he recalled despising it when his friend first refereed to him that way.

 

As an adolescent,Pele joined a youth squad couched by Waldemar de Brito,a famous member of Brazilian national soccer team.De Brito eventually convinced Pele's family to let the budding phenol leave home and try out for the Santos professional soccer club when he was 15.

Soccer's National Treasure

Pele signed with Santos and immediately started practicing with the team's regulars.He scored his first professional goal of his career before he turns 16,led the league in goals in his first full season and was recruited to play for Brazilian Nation Soccer Team.

The world was officially introduced to Pele in the 1958 World cup in Sweden.Displaying remarkable speed,athleticism and field vision,the 17-year-old erupted to score three goals in a 5-2 semifinal win over France.Then netted two more in the finals,a 5-2 win over the host country.

The young superstar received hefty offers to play for European clubs and Brazilian president Janio Quadros eventually Pele declared a treasure of country,making it ligally difficult for him to play in another country.Regardless Santos ownership ensured it's  star attraction was well paid by scheduling lucrative exhibition matches with teams around the world.

 

More World Cup Titles

Pele aggravated a groin injury two games into the 1962 World Cup in Chile,sitting out the final rounds while Brazil went on to claim it's second  straight title.Fore years later,in England,a series of brutal attacks by opposing defenders again forced him to the sidelines with leg injuries,and Brazil was bounced from the World Cup after one round.

Despite the disappointment in the World stage,the legend Pele continued to grow.In the late 1960s,the two factions in the Nigerian Civil War reportedly  agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire so the could watch Pele play in an exhibition game in Lagos.

The 1970 World Cup in Mexico marked a triumphant return to glory for Pele and Brazil.Headline a formidable squad,Pele scored four goals in the tournament,including one in the final to give Brazil a 4-1 victory over Italy.

Pele announced his retirement from soccer in 1974,but he was lured back to field the following year to play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League,and temporarily helped make the NASL a big attraction.

He played his final game in an exhibition between New York and Santos in 1977,competing for both sides and retires with a total of 1281 goals in 1363 games.

 

The Legend Lives On   

Retirement  did little to diminish the public profile of Pele,who remained a popular pitchman and active in many professional arenas.

In 1978,Pele was awarded the International Peace Award for his work with UNICEF.He has also served as Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sports and a United Nations ambassador ecology and the environment.

Pele was named FIFA"s "Co-Player of the Century" in 1999,along with Argentine "Diego Maradona".

 

His accomplishment on the soccer field will never be filled by anybody,and virtually all great athletes in the sport are measured against the Brazilian,who once made world stop to watch his transcendent play.