One of the world’s premier personalities in the game, Pelé scored a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 games
He was described as a genius, the best of the best, a player who offered his skills to the world. Brazilian legend Pelé is the iconic sporting figure of a country that considers itself the spiritual homeland of the game.
From Santos to three World Cup wins and the New York Cosmos, here’s a look at his life in pictures.
Where it all started: A teenager Pelé leaps into the net after scoring for Brazilian side Santos, a club he served between 1956 and 1974, against Guarani of Paraguay in 1958First World Cup triumph: Pelé, 17, leans on goalkeeper Gilmar as Brazil celebrate their 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 World Cup final. Pelé scored twiceCelebrations: Pele won the World Cup twice aged 21 after Brazil beat Czechoslovakia in the final in 1962Pelé the goalkeeper: The Brazilian legend passes through on goal during a training session at Bolton during the 1966 World CupIconic image: Pelé swapped shirts with England’s Bobby Moore at the 1970 World CupHistory books: In 1970, Pelé became the only footballer to win three World Cups after scoring in a 4-1 victory over Italy in the final in Mexico City.Pele meets Pele: A two-year-old from London named Pele Jairzinho Johnson by his football-mad dad Tony Johnson, meets his famous namesake before Santos faced Fulham at Craven Cottage in 1973Farewell to a legend: Pelé is carried off the pitch by his New York Cosmos teammates after his last game in 1977. He is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 career appearances 21 years old.Mingle with Presidents: Pelé and US President Bill Clinton play football in Rio de Janeiro in 1997Legends of Rest in Peace: Pelé and Diego Maradona kiss in 2016. When Argentinian icon Maradona died in 2020, Pelé tweeted: ‘One day I hope we can play ball together in paradise’King of the beautiful game: A Brazilian fan holds a replica World Cup in front of a picture of Pele at the 2022 World Cup in QatarGone but never forgotten: Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up in the colors of Brazil’s national flag in tribute to Pelé on Thursday. Brazil declares three days of national mourning
