When Pele made his FIFA World Cup debut in 1958 in Sweden, he was so impressive that after helping Brazil thrash the hosts 5-2, he was carried off the field by his much older colleagues. He scored the lone goal for his nation's triumph in the quarterfinal game against Wales. He scored a hat trick against France in the semifinal. He also stole the show in the championship game, which gave Brazil its first World Cup. Pele is still the youngest player to have ever competed and scored in a World Cup final.
With his first FIFA World Cup triumph under his belt, Pele returned four years later to lead Brazil to its second World Cup back-to-back success. Before suffering the injury that kept him out for the remainder of the competition, Pele, then 21, opened Brazil's cup defence with a spectacular solo goal in a 2-0 victory over Mexico. With his third World Cup victory in 1970, Pele became the only player (living or deceased) to ever win three FIFA World Cups. Additionally, he was the competition's top player.
At Santos FC and the Brazilian national team, Pele’s silky and graceful style turned Selecao’s Samba brand of football to the most sought-after flair. While statistics about the number of goals he scored during his career remain a matter of controversy, the governing body of football, FIFA, listed 1,281 goals for Pele in 1,366 appearances during a 21-year career. Seventy-seven of those goals are for the Brazil national team in 92 matches. Some football historians insist that Pele, who made his debut for Santos FC at age 15, scored more goals. Although credited with 643 goals at Santos, the club insists Pele’s total tally exceeds 1000.
The number 10 shirt won by Pele for club and country became iconic with football. Perenc Puskas, Michel Platini, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi, among several others, have worn it with pride. Brazil’s current Number 10, Neymar summed it up brilliantly in his tribute: “Before Pelé, 10 was just a number…I would say before Pelé, football was just a sport. Pelé changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially, he gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status, thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is Forever!”
For Nigerians of a certain generation, the memories of Pele’s visits to the country with Santos and Fluminense on playing tours in Benin City, Lagos and Kaduna will remain evergreen. In retirement, Pele devoted considerable time to supporting global causes, including as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Champion for Sport.
Since legends don’t die, Pele will remain alive for as long as the game of football is played.