Pele
Pele
Edson Arantes do Nascimentoɐˈɾɐ̃tʃiz du nɐsiˈmẽtu]; born 23 October 1940), known as Pelé, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. He is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time. Pelé is also credited with making the phrase "the beautiful game" synonymous with football. In 1999, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. The same year, France Football asked their former Ballon d'Or winners to...
NationalityBrazilian
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth23 October 1940
CityTres Coracoes, Brazil
CountryBrazil
When I retired, at that time I had a lot of proposals to play in Europe, England, Italy, Spain, Mexico. But I said no, after 18 years I want to rest, because I want to retire.
Brazil's always had great players, both at home and abroad, but we need to put all that talent together and mould a team out of it.
When I was minister of sport in Brazil, I tried to bring in a law that would make the chairmen of clubs reveal their accounts like other businesses. It was turned down, but I think it is an important story that will make a good film.
I played for Santos at 16, and we had an excellent team, so it helped a lot. And then I played for Brazil at the Maracana against Argentina. So I get more experience. This was one year before the World Cup, and it made a lot of difference.
Edson is the person that supports Pele. Edson is the base. Pele just comes and adds the face.
I was really proud that I was named after Thomas Edison and wanted to be called Edson. I thought Pele sounded horrible. It was a rubbish name. Edson sounded so much more serious and important.
Everybody knows my life. I won a lot of tournaments and scored more than 1,000 goals, won three World Cups but I could not play in Olympic Games.
the most talented kid we've ever seen at that age.
The bicycle kick is not easy to do. I scored 1,283 goals, and only two or three were bicycle kicks.
To be a striker you need to be in good shape.
Yes, I have a lot of business interests. But I don't work for just anyone, and I choose the companies very carefully.
I think I've always had the shots. But in the past, I've suffered too many mental lapses. Now, I'm starting to get away from that and my mental discipline and commitment to the game are much better. I think I'm really taking a good look at the big picture. That's the difference between being around for the final or watching the final from my sofa at home.
The World Cup is a very complicated tournament - six games, seven if you make it to the final - and maybe if you lose one game you're out, even if you're the best.
I sometimes lie awake at night and wonder why I am still so popular and, to be honest, I don't know.