Pelé

Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé - his nickname) is one of the most famous soccer players in Brazil. He is known as the king of soccer because of his accomplishments and contributions to the game. Pelé was the only soccer player to win 3 World Cup titles. He also was on the team when they played in the world cup in 1962, but did not play due to injuries and did not receive a cup.

Many consider Pelé to be the greatest soccer player ever in the world's history. His trademark or most amazing move was the "bicycle kick" used in soccer. Sometimes this now popular move is even refered to as the "Pelé kick." He scored 1281 goals in 1363 games.

Pelé was named after the famous inventer Thomas Edison and his original nickname was Dico. Later it changed because he mispronounced his favorite soccer player's name - Bilé. He rather said Pilé and other school kids called him Pelé. At first Pelé disliked his nickname and was even suspended from school for punching the kid who first called him it. But the more he complained of it, the more it stuck.

Important events:

1958 - World Cup Championship

1962 - World Cup Championship

1966 - World Cup Champisonship

November 19, 1969 - scored his 1000th goal

1970 - World Cup Championship

October 1, 1977 - Last game played

1977 - Retirement

1999 - Voted Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committe