Double in the 1958 World Cup final
Pelé, just 17 years old, earned a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad in Sweden after an extraordinary first season with Santos. He played 38 official matches for the club and scored 41 goals, drawing the attention of national team coaches.
The young Brazilian forward did not start the world championship on a high note, beginning on the bench due to injury. He made his group-stage debut against the USSR, helping Brazil to a 2-0 victory.
As the tournament progressed, Pelé emerged as a decisive talent: he scored the winning goal against Wales in the quarterfinals, bagged a hat-trick against France in the semifinals, and delivered a double, including the winner, against Sweden. Through these performances, he helped Brazil win its first World Cup title.
The Brazilians would go on to repeat the success four years later, and in 1970 Pelé stood out again as a key figure, becoming the only player to win the World Cup three times in a single career.
World’s highest paid football player
Pelé spent the final chapters of his playing days abroad. In 1975, he signed with the New York Cosmos, commanding an annual salary around $1.4 million, which at the time made him by far the highest-paid player in the sport.
The Cosmos era helped lift football’s profile in the United States, as attendance rose dramatically. Before Pelé’s arrival, Cosmos crowds averaged about 4–5 thousand; during his tenure, interest surged, drawing many more fans to stadiums.
In 1977, Pelé was named the league’s best player in the North American Soccer League (NASL). He played his farewell match on October 1, a charity tilt featuring Cosmos against Santos where he split his time between both teams.
“I am happy to share this moment with you. I believe love is the most important thing in life. If you agree, say this word with me,” Pelé said at the end of his final game.
Over his time with New York, Pelé appeared in 107 games and scored 64 goals for the Cosmos.
Did Pelé score 1283 career goals?
Pelé’s supporters often cite a total career goal tally of 1,283, a figure he reportedly posted on his social media in September 2015. This total includes goals in official and friendly matches across Santos, the Cosmos, and other teams.
However, different organizations count goals in different ways. The IFFHS, which excludes friendly matches, credits Pelé with 765 goals. RSSSF estimates 778 goals in official matches, while FIFA and the IOC acknowledge 757 career goals in official play. Some voices, including former players, argue that all matches should be counted to honor Pelé’s full impact.
A prominent former player from Moscow, Valery Gladilin, suggested that all matches should be included when tallying goals. Brazilians often count goals from both official and friendly matches, a stance echoed by supporters of Messi and Ronaldo in their career tallies. The method used by FIFA and others has long been debated, but Pelé’s extraordinary achievements remain widely recognized.
Understanding how counts are compiled can be tricky, and FIFA’s historical approaches have shifted over time. Regardless, Pelé’s record stands as a universal symbol of greatness and influence in world football.
Friendship with Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona and Pelé are widely regarded as two of the sport’s most gifted players. Their career lists are legendary, and their performances have inspired countless fans around the globe.
Although they never shared a pitch as teammates, the two icons did join forces once on screen. On the show Noche del 10, Maradona invited his old Argentine friend to participate in a special moment on air.
“I’ve always dreamed of kicking the ball with you,” Maradona once said to Pelé. After Maradona’s passing, Pelé posted a heartfelt message on social media, honoring his friend and expressing hope that they could play together someday in heaven.
Political career
In 1995, Pelé served as Brazil’s Minister of Sports. His tenure focused on pushing for greater transparency and fairness within Brazilian football, including proposals to grant clubs enterprise status and to extend workers’ rights to players. He also aimed to curb corruption in sports clubs and child involvement in youth programs.
Supporters praised his drive for reform, but the political landscape, at times, complicates the implementation of such changes. Factions within FIFA and Brazilian sports bodies clashed with state interests, creating a challenging environment for reform efforts.
Pele Cafe
Pelé’s brand extended beyond the pitch. The Pele Cafe became a notable name in the USSR, offering an accessible coffee option and helping popularize the brand in the early 1990s. Pelé personally visited Russia in January 1997 and September 2003 to promote his beverage line.
The business venture with Cacique, aligning with the Pele brand, brought substantial revenue tied to the use of his surname and likeness in media, contributing to a lasting legacy beyond football.
Corruption scandals
During the 1990s, Pelé also served as an ambassador for UNESCO Goodwill and UNICEF. In 2001, he faced a money-trust allegation linked to a charity match planned with UNICEF support in 1995. Pelé later dissolved the related company, Pelé Sports & Marketing, and suspected that a longtime partner had misappropriated funds.
All charges were eventually dropped, and Pelé continued his ambassadorial work with UNESCO and UNICEF, maintaining a lasting commitment to charitable causes and football development.