During his World Cup appearances, he scored 12 goals in 14 games. He played in four World Cups, and his Brazilian team won three (1958, 1962, 1970).
Father: João Ramos do Nascimento, known as “Dondinho,” football player
Mother: Celeste Arantes do Nascimento
Marriages: Marcia Cibele Aoki (2016-present), Assíria Lemos (1994-2010, divorced), Rosemeri Cholbi (1966-1978, divorced)
Children: with Rosemeri Cholbi: Kely, Edson and Jennifer; with Anisia Machado: Sandra (died of cancer in 2006); with Lenita Kurtz: Flávia Christina; with Assíria Lemos: Joshua and Celeste
Other Facts:
Nicknames include Pérola Negra (Black Pearl), O Rei (The King) and Dico.
Brazil’s president declared Pelé a national treasure, preventing him from signing on with a team outside of Brazil.
He was named after Thomas Edison.
Has multiple memoirs, including “Pelé: My Life and the Beautiful Game,” “My Life in Pictures” and “Pelé: The Autobiography.”
Appeared in several movies in the 1970s and 1980s.
He composed the soundtrack for the film “Pelé (1977),” as well as other musical pieces.
Pelé Day occurs in Santos, Brazil, on November 19 each year, to recognize the date of his 1,000th goal.
He scored 1,281 goals in his professional career (in 1,363 games).
Has been a spokesman for Viagra.
Timeline:
September 7, 1956 – Scores his first professional goal in his league debut, during a match between Santos FC and Corinthians Football Club.
1967 – The two sides involved in the Nigerian civil war call a cease-fire to watch Pelé and the Santos team play an exhibition game in Lagos.
November 19, 1969 – Scores his 1,000th goal at his 909th first-class game.
1974 – Announces his retirement.
1975 – Signs a contract to play for the New York Cosmos.
October 1, 1977 – Retires from playing with an exhibition game between the Cosmos and Santos FC. He plays the first half for the Cosmos and the second half for Santos.
1978 – Receives the International Peace Award.
1993 – Is inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame.
1995-1998 – Serves as Brazil’s extraordinary minister for sport.
1998 – A law passes, nicknamed the “Pelé Law,” to address corruption in Brazilian football. It goes into effect in 2001.
1999 – The International Olympic Committee names him “Athlete of the Century.”
2000 – The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) names him “Player of the Century,” jointly with Argentina’s Diego Maradona.
November 2012 – Undergoes a successful hip operation at a hospital in Sao Paulo.
November 13, 2014 – Undergoes surgery to remove kidney stones.
December 9, 2014 – Discharged from the hospital.
