Commemorating Pelé: the world's greatest soccer player -

To this day, Pelé is still the world's most prolific goal scorer and a three-time World Cup winner. To many, he will always be known as "O Rei," or the King. The late Brazilian football legend is now being honored with a national day dedicated to him in his home country. Brazil has declared November 19 "Dia do Rei Pelé," or "King Pelé Day." The date holds special significance in the soccer star's career. On November 19, 1969, Pelé scored his 1,000th goal in a match in Rio de Janeiro. He was playing for his childhood club Santos against the club Vasco da Gama. This incredible feat highlights the near-supernatural talent that defined his career and made him the legend he is today. This honor was put into effect by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva less than two years after Pelé's death. Pele would have turned 84 on October 23, 2024.

In honor of his memory, click through this gallery and take a nostalgic look back at the man who coined the phrase "The Beautiful Game," and whose electrifying skill and dazzling footwork on the field still inspire would-be soccer players today.

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Santos debut and first goal -

In June 1956 at just 15 years old, Pelé signed a professional contract with Santos. He made his senior team debut in September against Corinthians de Santo André, during which he scored his first competitive goal.

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Number 10 -

Pelé played for Santos from 1956 to 1974, wearing the number 10 jersey throughout (the same number given to him in the Brazilian international squad).

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International debut -

The rising star's first international match was against Argentina on July 7, 1957, at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil lost 2–1. In that match, Pelé scored his first goal for Brazil, aged 16. To this day, he remains the youngest goalscorer for his country.

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The 1958 World Cup -

At just 17 years and 249 days old, Pelé became the youngest player to appear in a World Cup final match. Brazil went on to beat Sweden 5–2 in Stockholm and win the tournament. Pictured: the triumphant Brazil team with the World Cup.

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Emotional win -

The 17-year-old Pelé cries on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar after Brazil wins the 1958 World Cup Final. He scored two of Brazil's five goals.

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The 1962 World Cup -

Pelé in Viña del Mar, Chile, with two fans a few days before Brazil's quarter final with England—Pelé did not participate in that match and was out for the remainder of the competition after pulling a muscle during a first-round game against Czechoslovakia. Nonetheless, Brazil went on to win the World Cup.

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The most successful league goal-scorer in the world -

In his career, the Brazilian ace scored 650 competitive goals in 694 league matches, for Santos and the New York Cosmos.

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Brazil's leading goalscorer -

Pelé is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, with 77 goals in 92 appearances. 

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The 1966 World Cup -

Pelé lies injured on the ground during Brazil's clash with Portugal. Lending the Brazilian a hand is Portugal's Eusébio.

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The 1970 Brazil World Cup team -

Brazil's 1970 World Cup squad is considered by many sports commentators as the greatest soccer team in history. Back row left to right: Carlos Alberto, Brito, Wilson Piazza, Félix, Clodoaldo, Everaldo, Mário Zagallo (manager). Front row left to right: Jairzinho, Roberto Rivelino, Tostão, Pelé, Paulo Cézar. Not pictured is Gérson.

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The 1970 World Cup -

The 1970 World Cup Final in Mexico saw Brazil beat Italy 4–1, and Pelé claim his third World Cup winners' medal. Pictured: Pelé's shot saved by Italy goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi.

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Third World Cup win -

A celebrating Pelé, surrounded by teammates, hoists the World Cup trophy in Mexico.

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Pelé Museum -

Costa Rican player Joel Campbell takes a selfie next to a sculpture of Pelé, during a visit to Pelé Museum in Santos. Inaugurated in 2014, the museum displays a 2,400-piece collection of Pelé memorabilia.

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World record -

According to Guinness World Records, the Brazilian remains the soccer player with the most career goals—1,279 in 1,363 games. He's pictured celebrating after scoring the opening goal against Italy in the 1970 World Cup Final in Mexico.

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Singing and scoring -

Few realize that music played an important role in the soccer legend's life. He started writing songs and playing the guitar during his days with Santos as a way of passing the hours during long periods in team hotels. Some of his compositions have been recorded by Brazilian music stars, including the late Elis Regina and the sambista Jair Rodrigues.

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His 1,000th goal -

On November 19, 1969, Pelé made soccer history when he scored his 1,000th goal during a match against Vasco da Gama at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. 

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Stamp of approval -

A Brazil postage stamp commemorating the soccer icon's landmark 1,000th goal.

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Signing up for the USA -

Pelé signing a soccer ball for US President Richard Nixon at the White House in 1973, two years before joining the New York Cosmos.

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Entering the Cosmos -

Pelé joined American professional soccer club the New York Cosmos on June 10, 1975. He made his official debut with the club on June 15, against the Dallas Tornado. The game was broadcast to 22 countries and covered by more than 300 journalists from all over the world.

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Retirement from soccer -

Pelé wearing the Cosmos' number 10 jersey. The number was retired by the team in his honor after Pelé's final game in October 1977, an exhibition match against his old club Santos.

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'Escape to Victory' (1981) -

Pelé joined the cast of this WWII film about a group of Allied prisoners of war who play an exhibition match of soccer against a German team. Starring Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine, the movie also featured other professional soccer players, including England's 1966 World Cup team captain Bobby Moore (1941–1993).

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England's Gordon Banks -

Pelé and former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks (1937–2019) with a picture of the famous save Banks made to deny the Brazilian a goal during the 1970 World Cup. Pelé, and numerous journalists and pundits, would later describe the save as the greatest in the history of the game.

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Jules Rimet Trophy -

Pelé kisses a replica of the Jules Rimet World Cup Trophy, which was used in the tournament from 1930 to 1970. Brazil won the trophy outright in 1970. The original trophy was stolen once, in 1966, and then again in 1983, after which it was never recovered.

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World Player of the Century -

In 1999, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) voted Pelé the World Player of the Century.

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Knighthood -

Pelé at 10 Downing Street during a visit to London in 2011. He donated a soccer jersey to Prime Minister David Cameron, and met children involved with the Street League charity. In 1997, he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

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Film celebrity -

The retired legend and wife Marcia Aoki attend the world premiere of 'Pelé: Birth of a Legend' during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Aoki was Pelé's third wife.

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Write on! -

The former player published several autobiographies, which he enthusiastically promoted around the world. His personal appearances in Brazil, however, were always the most colorful.

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Fantastic support -

Brazilian fans pay tribute to their hero during a World Cup game by donning smiling Pelé masks. Long after he stopped playing, Pelé is still revered by soccer fans around the world.

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Ambassador -

Since he hung up his boots, Pelé traveled the world as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. In fact, the most notable area of his life after soccer was his ambassadorial work. He's pictured here in 2018 attending the World Economic Forum on Latin America in São Paulo.

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Promoting soccer stars of the future -

The Brazilian spent much of his post-sports career encouraging others to take up the game, including women. He's seen here during an event in Copenhagen promoting women's soccer.

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A legend -

Several decades after hanging up his boots, Pelé is still lauded as one of the best players in history, and frequently ranked the best player ever. Sadly, however, nothing and no one lasts forever, and "O Rei" ultimately lost his battle with cancer on December 29, 2022, at age 82.

See also: Countries that produce the most NBA players

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