Pele began playing for a local minor-league club when he was just a teenager. He was quickly established as an exceptionally prolific goal scorer and soon became hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments and contribution to the game. He is the all-time top scorer in the history of the Brazil national team. He retired in 1977. Pele today maintains his commitment to the sport and to society by fulfilling various roles as spokesperson, ambassador and philanthropist.

Topics

• Host
• Entertainment
• Awards
• Teamwork
• Motivation
• Football

Publications

• Why Soccer Matters (with Brian Winter) (2014)
• Pele 10: What Makes a Great Play from The Master (2010)
• Pele: The Autobiography (2007)

Awards

• In 2013 He received the FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur
• In 2013 World Soccer Greatest XI of All Time
• In 2012 Greatest Football Player to Have Ever Played the Game, by Golden Foot
• In 2012 Pelé was awarded an honourary degree from the University of Edinburgh
• In 2005 Pelé received a lifetime achievement award from the BBC
• In 2000 Laureus World Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award from South African President Nelson Mandela
• In 2000 FIFA Player of the Century
• In 1999 TIME One of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th century
• In 1999 UNICEF Football Player of the Century
• In 1999 Football Player of the Century, by IFFHS
• In 1997 Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• In 1995 He was awarded Brazil’s Gold Medal
• In 1971 Prize from the French Academy of Sports
• In 1966 Sword of Soccer Honor, Given by the English Soccer Annual
• In 1963 Knight of the Legion d’Honneur of France, Award given by the French Government