Who is Pelé?

Introduction

Pelé is one of the few athletes whose name has transcended sport to become a universal symbol. To say that Pelé was a footballer is accurate, but deeply incomplete. He was a storyteller with his feet, a cultural bridge between continents, a political symbol used and misused by power structures, and a living embodiment of joy in motion. His career unfolded at a time when football was becoming the world’s most popular game, and his presence accelerated that transformation. Pelé did not merely dominate his era; he helped define what greatness in football could mean.

Roots in Poverty: Childhood and Formation

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, a small town in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Brazil at the time was a country of stark inequalities, still grappling with the legacy of slavery, which had been abolished only in 1888. Opportunities for Black Brazilians were limited, and football was one of the few avenues where talent could briefly suspend social barriers.

Pelé’s father, João Ramos do Nascimento—known as Dondinho—was a semi-professional footballer whose own career was cut short by injury. Dondinho’s unrealized dreams cast a long shadow, but also provided young Edson with a model of discipline and love for the game. The family lived in poverty, and Pelé often worked shining shoes to help support them. Footballs were a luxury, so he learned to play with socks stuffed with rags or grapefruits tied together with string.

These improvised beginnings shaped Pelé’s technical brilliance. Playing barefoot on uneven ground demanded balance, creativity, and sensitivity to the ball. Many of the qualities that later astonished the world—his close control, improvisation, and fluid movement—were forged in these informal games. Football was not yet a profession or a dream of fame; it was survival, joy, and expression.

Discovery and Early Genius

Pelé’s talent was evident from an early age, but talent alone rarely guarantees opportunity. His breakthrough came when he was introduced to Waldemar de Brito, a former Brazilian international who immediately recognized the boy’s extraordinary potential. De Brito famously told officials at Santos FC that the 15-year-old Pelé would become the greatest footballer in the world.

Santos signed Pelé in 1956, and he scored on his debut. Within a year, he was the league’s top scorer. What distinguished Pelé from other prodigies was not only his scoring ability, but his completeness. He could dribble, pass, head the ball with uncanny timing despite his relatively modest height, and finish with both feet. He seemed to understand the geometry of the pitch instinctively, always appearing where space was about to open.

At a time when football tactics were becoming more rigid, Pelé represented freedom. He did not fit neatly into any one position. He was a striker who created, a creator who finished, and a team player who could decide matches alone.

The 1958 World Cup: Birth of a Legend

The 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden marked Pelé’s arrival on the global stage. At just 17 years old, he was the youngest player in the tournament. Brazil entered the competition burdened by past failures and a national sense of inferiority, particularly in relation to Europe. The trauma of losing the 1950 World Cup final at home still haunted the country.

Pelé initially missed matches due to injury, but once he entered the starting lineup, the tournament changed. He scored a hat-trick in the semifinal against France and two goals in the final against Sweden. His goal in the final—controlling the ball, flicking it over a defender, and volleying it into the net—was not just a goal, but a declaration. It announced a new aesthetic in football: playful, imaginative, and fearless.

Brazil won the World Cup, and Pelé cried on the shoulders of goalkeeper Gilmar. The image became iconic. A teenage Black Brazilian had conquered the world, and in doing so, reshaped Brazil’s self-image. Football was no longer just a game; it was proof that Brazil could be joyful, creative, and dominant on the world stage.

Style of Play: Intelligence, Joy, and Ruthlessness

Pelé’s style is often described with superlatives, but it deserves careful analysis. He was physically strong, deceptively fast, and remarkably durable. Unlike many stars, Pelé rarely relied solely on dribbling. His intelligence was his greatest weapon. He read defenders, anticipated rebounds, and positioned himself with surgical precision.

One of Pelé’s defining traits was his ambidexterity. He could shoot, pass, and control the ball equally well with both feet. This made him unpredictable and almost impossible to defend. Defenders could not force him onto a weaker side, because he did not have one.

Equally important was his mentality. Pelé played with joy, but never frivolously. His smile did not indicate softness; it concealed an intense competitive drive. He wanted to win, to score, and to dominate, but he did so with elegance. Even his fouls suffered became part of his legend, as defenders increasingly resorted to violence to stop him.

Santos FC and Loyalty in a Changing Game

Pelé spent the majority of his club career at Santos FC, a decision that profoundly shaped his legacy. At a time when European clubs were beginning to dominate global football economics, Pelé remained in Brazil. Santos, with Pelé at its heart, became a touring phenomenon, playing exhibition matches across the world.

These tours were more than commercial ventures. In many countries, Pelé was the first football superstar people had ever seen. Stadiums sold out simply because he was playing. In some cases, ceasefires were reportedly called so people could watch him play. Whether exaggerated or not, these stories reflect his mythic status.

Pelé’s loyalty to Santos was influenced by several factors: personal attachment, financial incentives arranged by the Brazilian government, and his symbolic importance to the nation. While this decision limited his exposure to European club football, it also preserved a certain purity in his narrative. Pelé belonged to Brazil in a way few athletes ever belong to a single place.

The 1962 World Cup: Triumph Amid Pain

The 1962 World Cup in Chile further cemented Pelé’s greatness, though in a paradoxical way. He began the tournament brilliantly, scoring and assisting, but was injured early on and missed much of the competition. Brazil went on to win the World Cup without him playing in the final.

Critics later used this to question his contribution, but such arguments miss the broader picture. Pelé’s presence influenced how teams prepared for Brazil, and his early performances set the tone. Moreover, his ability to return from injury and still be decisive in later tournaments demonstrated resilience.

This World Cup also marked the beginning of a darker phase in Pelé’s international career: one defined by increasingly brutal treatment from opponents. Defenders targeted him systematically, often with little protection from referees.

The 1966 World Cup: Violence and Disillusionment

The 1966 World Cup in England was perhaps the most painful chapter of Pelé’s career. Brazil arrived as defending champions, but internal chaos, tactical confusion, and relentless fouling undermined their campaign. Pelé was kicked repeatedly, injured, and effectively forced out of the tournament.

Brazil was eliminated early, and Pelé famously declared he would never play in another World Cup. The tournament exposed the limits of football’s ability to protect its stars and highlighted the tension between artistry and physicality in the game.

For Pelé, it was a moment of disillusionment. Yet, like many turning points in his life, it became a prelude to resurgence.

The 1970 World Cup: Perfection Realized

Pelé returned for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, and what followed is widely regarded as the greatest team performance in football history. Brazil’s squad combined technical brilliance, tactical innovation, and attacking freedom. Pelé, now more experienced and strategic, played a deeper role, orchestrating play while still scoring crucial goals.

The final against Italy was a masterpiece. Pelé scored the opening goal with a powerful header and later assisted Carlos Alberto’s iconic goal with a perfectly weighted pass. Brazil won 4–1, securing their third World Cup and earning permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy.

This tournament completed Pelé’s narrative arc. He was no longer just a prodigy or a scorer; he was a leader, a thinker, and a symbol of footballing harmony.

Race, Representation, and National Identity

Pelé’s rise occurred within a racially complex society. Brazil often promoted the idea of a “racial democracy,” but structural racism persisted. Pelé was celebrated, yet also constrained by expectations to be apolitical and non-confrontational.

Unlike later athletes, Pelé rarely spoke publicly about racism or inequality during his playing career. This has led to criticism, particularly from Black activists who argue that his global platform carried moral responsibility. However, understanding Pelé requires contextual sensitivity. Speaking out in mid-20th-century Brazil carried real risks, and Pelé’s survival and success were themselves acts of resistance in a society that limited Black mobility.

His very existence as a global icon challenged stereotypes and expanded possibilities, even if he did not articulate those challenges explicitly.

Global Ambassador and Commercial Pioneer

Pelé was one of the first truly global sports celebrities. His image was marketed worldwide, and he became synonymous with football itself. Long before social media, Pelé understood the power of image and accessibility.

In 1975, he joined the New York Cosmos, helping to popularize soccer in the United States. Though critics dismissed the move as a retirement tour, its impact was significant. Pelé attracted media attention, sponsors, and young players, planting seeds that would later grow into Major League Soccer.

He also became involved in advertising, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts. Pelé served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and used his fame to promote education and social development.

Legacy and the Meaning of Greatness

Debates about the greatest footballer of all time often compare Pelé to later icons such as Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Statistics, trophies, and playing styles differ across eras, making direct comparison difficult. What sets Pelé apart is not just what he achieved, but when and how he achieved it.

Pelé defined excellence before modern sports science, global broadcasting, and commercial saturation. He played when pitches were worse, protection was minimal, and travel was exhausting. Yet he excelled consistently.

His legacy is also narrative. Pelé represents the possibility of joy in competition, creativity without cynicism, and success without bitterness. He reminds us that sport can be beautiful as well as brutal.

Conclusion: Pelé as a Human Story

Pelé died on December 29, 2022, but his presence endures. He remains a reference point, a standard, and a story told across generations. More than his goals or trophies, Pelé’s true achievement was expanding the emotional and imaginative range of football.

He emerged from poverty, navigated global fame, and carried the hopes of a nation without losing his essential warmth. In an era increasingly defined by data and debate, Pelé stands as a reminder that sport is ultimately a human art form.