Who Is Pele?

The story of a poor boy from Brazil who became the greatest soccer player of all time and one of the most important athletes of the twentieth century.

His parents may have named him Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but to the rest of the world, he is known as Pele. The now-retired professional soccer forward stunned Brazil when he began playing for the Santos soccer club at age fifteen. He then went on to captivate the world when he joined his country’s national soccer team and helped them win three World Cup championships. Although he’s hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in soccer, Pele has been an influential person both on and off the pitch. His work with organizations like UNICEF has helped improve conditions for children around the world. Young readers can learn more about the man who connected soccer with the phrase The Beautiful Game.