Edson Arantes do Nascimento (born October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil) known as Pele in the world of football, has passed away today at the age of 82.
He was one of the best players in the world, or maybe the best, when he played in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Pele is considered by many to be the best player in history, ahead of players like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“O Rei”, as he is also known, has practically played his entire career with Santos in Brazil.
He left in 1974 and headed to the United States to play for the New York Cosmos, where he stayed until his retirement at the age of 36 in 1977.
He undoubtedly had a long and successful career with Santos and the New York Cosmos as well as the Brazil National Team.
Below is a summary of all the titles he has won:
Three World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970).
10-time Campeonato Paulista winner with Santos (1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1973).
Six-time Brasileiro Serie A champion with Santos (1961, 1962, 1964, 1964, 1964, 1965 and 1968).
Four-time Torneio Rio-Sao winner with Santos (1959, 1963, 1964 and 1966).
Twice winner of the Copa Libertadores with Santos (1962 and 1963).
Twice winner of the Intercontinental Cup with Santos (1962 and 1963).
One time winner of the Intercontinental Super Cup (1968).
One-time NASL Soccer Boël winner with New York Cosmos (1977).
It must be said that at the time Pele was playing, the Ballon d’Or was not awarded, although FIFA honored Pele in 2014 by awarding him an honorary Ballon d’Or, the highest individual distinction in the world of football.
He was also given that award because he is the only player to have won three World Cups.
To achieve this, he has had to stand out individually, as the following awards show:
Campeonato Paulista top scorer with Santos (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1973).
Best Young Player of the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1958.
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1958 and 1970).
Best player and top scorer of the 1959 Copa America.
Intercontinental Cup top scorer in 1962 and 1963.
Copa Libertadores top scorer in 1965.
South American Footballer of the Year in 1973.
NASL Most Valuable Player in 1976.
Member of the NASL All-Star team in 1975, 1976 and 1977.
Since 1994 he has been a member of the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
In 1997 he received the MARCA Leyenda award.
Member of the World Team of the 20th Century.
The best player of the 20th century according to IFFHS.
The best South American player of the 20th century according to the IFFHS.
FIFA Player of the 20th Century.
Historic Copa America selection.