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Pelé Timeline

(October 23, 1940 - December 29, 2022)

Explore the life and career of Pelé, the legendary Brazilian football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Less

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Go to: Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Career

Pelé's Birth

Oct 23, 1940

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is born in Três Corações, Brazil. He would go on to become one of the greatest football players in history.

Professional Debut for Santos FC

Sep 7, 1956

A 15-year-old Pelé makes his professional debut for Santos FC, a Brazilian football club.

Image source: Pelé

Professional Debut for Santos FC

International Success

First International Match for Brazil

Jul 7, 1957

Pelé plays his first international match for the Brazilian national team against Argentina, marking the beginning of his illustrious international career.

First World Cup Appearance

Jun 15, 1958

Pelé, at the age of 17, makes his first World Cup appearance in Sweden. He becomes the youngest player to score in a World Cup final, helping Brazil win their first World Cup title.

Club Career

Santos FC Dominance

1960 - 1969

Pelé leads Santos FC to numerous domestic and international titles, establishing the club as a dominant force in Brazilian football during the 1960s.

Image source: Santos FC

Santos FC Dominance

1,000th Goal

Nov 19, 1969

Pelé scores his 1,000th professional goal for Santos FC, a remarkable achievement that solidifies his status as one of the greatest goalscorers in history.

Post-Retirement Contributions

Pelé's Retirement

Oct 1, 1977

Pelé announces his retirement from professional football, ending a legendary playing career that spanned over two decades.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

1994

Pelé becomes a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, using his fame to promote social causes.

FIFA Player of the Century

2000

Pelé is named FIFA Player of the Century, jointly with Diego Maradona, recognizing his immense contribution to the sport and his status as an icon of football.

FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur

Jan 13, 2014

Pelé receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur, a lifetime achievement award recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the sport.

Absent from the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony

Aug 5, 2016

Pelé is expected to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but health problems keep him away; Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lights it instead.

Pelé's 80th Birthday

Oct 23, 2020

Pelé celebrates his 80th birthday, with the football world honoring his legacy and impact on the sport.

Pelé's Death

Dec 29, 2022

Pelé dies at the age of 82, of complications from colon cancer.

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Key Facts

  1. Pelé was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil.
  2. He scored his first professional goal at the age of 15 and became a national star in Brazil.
  3. Pelé won his first World Cup with the Brazilian national team in 1958 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player to win the tournament.
  4. During his career, Pelé scored a total of 1,283 goals in 1,363 appearances, making him one of the highest-scoring players in football history.
  5. After retiring from professional football, Pelé became a global ambassador for the sport and worked to promote social causes until his death in 2022.

Source

This Pelé timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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