Football in Brazil existed long before a single giant named Pelé stepped onto the field. Yet the full story of the sport cannot be understood without the figure who became the first real hero for the masses and helped push football onto a global stage. He is the only player to lift four World Cups, and talking about the golden cup inevitably leads to the name O Rei.
Edson Arantes de Nascimento was born in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, on October 23, 1940. His father, Dondinho, a former Atlético Mineiro player, imagined the name Edison after the inventor, but a registry error made the boy Edson for life. The moment he came into the world seemed to echo with a spark that would light up the world of football and leave an imprint on the game forever.
DISCOVER
Growing up on the streets, like so many Brazilian talents, he began his journey with the sport that would soon become his life. At thirteen he signed with Club Atlético Bauru after moving to Sao Paulo with his family, a step that brought him closer to Santos, the club that would become his home. Valdemar de Brito, a former Brazil teammate from the 1934 World Cup, brought him to Peixe. The ascent was meteoric and unmistakable.
TO MISS THE FIRST WORLD CUP
At seventeen, he earned a call to the Swedish World Cup roster. A doctor warned against travel due to flat feet, yet destiny moved in another direction. This tournament left an indelible mark on his career, and he began as a substitute, only to emerge as the outstanding figure of the first World Cup triumph for Brazil.
From that moment on, Edson became an icon of Brazilian football. A legend without a beard, he lifted Santos to the very top. He led the club to five consecutive state titles from 1961 to 1965, two Copa Libertadores trophies, and two Intercontinental Cups. In an era when moving to Europe was rare, he defined a new standard of mastery and influence. He possessed exquisite technical ability, relentless finishing, and a fearless aerial game that defined the era.
AN OLD GROUP
With the colors of verdeamarela the era grew even more majestic. He defended two generations of players who carried the legacy with pride. In 1962, at twenty-one, he dominated Chile and expanded his reach. In 1970 in Mexico, after a brief pause following a challenging 1966 World Cup in England, he had fully matured and completed a symbolic circle. That year stands out as his most individually triumphant performance. The third star stands alone in history for its remarkable achievement, and the world wonders if another will ever match it. Along the way he left a multitude of memorable moments and legendary performances recorded in football historiography.
Pelé held almost every goal record in world football until the era of Leo Messi, and he remains the top scorer in history when counting both official and friendly matches, totaling around 1,301 goals according to widely cited tallies.