History of Pele

Birth

Oct 23, 1940

Pele's Birth- October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil

Early Childhood

May 13, 1945

Pele's father didn't make a lot of money, so growing up, he was very poor.

Middle Childhood

Apr 28, 1949

Although he was poor, that didn't stop him from playing soccer. He would take a sock and put rags in it and roll it around the street.

Late Childhood

Jul 4, 1952

Pele joined a team caoched by a former member of Brazil's National Team.

Beginning of Career

Sep 27, 1955

His team coach finally convinced his family to let him try out for the Santos Professional Soccer Club.

Beginning of Santos Soccer Club

Nov 10, 1955

He made the team and immediately started playing with them.

First Goal

Jun 27, 1956

He scored his first goal before he was 16.

Recruitment

Dec 19, 1956

When he was 16, he was recruited to play for the Brazilian National Soccer Team.

Sweden World Cup

Jul 12, 1958

1958 World Cup in Sweden was when the World first saw him.

Sweden World Cup

Jul 19, 1958

He showed speed, skill, a good attitude, and athleticism, and this is where the World fell in love with him.

European Bribes

Mar 30, 1959

Pele recieved huge amounts of money to play for European soccer leagues, but stuck with Santos.

Chile World Cup

Jul 22, 1962

He had to sit out for Brazil's second straight title from a groin injury in the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

England World Cup

Jul 14, 1966

Brutal attacks from defenders led him to sit out, and Brazil was knocked from the World Cup in the first round.

World Cup in Mexico

Jul 25, 1970

The 1970 World Cup in Mexico was a great return for Pele after all his injuries in the other World Cups.

Fake Retirement, Comeback

Jun 28, 1974

Pele announced his retirement in 1974 but he was lured back to play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League.

Last Game, Retirement

Oct 16, 1977

This is when he played his last game and retired with 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.