It has terrorized almost every defense around the world in every corner of the world. More than 1,000 career goals, the only player in history to have won three world championship titles, King Pelé, who died on Thursday December 29 at the age of 82, will remain in football legend for eternity. His extremely rich career has been punctuated with highlights of which here is a selection.
September 7, 1956: the king’s first steps
While he is not yet 16, Pelé is already playing his first minutes in the Santos jersey by replacing a regular starter. And he already distinguished himself by scoring the very first goal of his prolific career. The playmaker very quickly puts everyone in agreement and will settle down as quickly as an indestructible part of the black and white starting lineup.
June 29, 1958: still a minor and already world champion
Despite his very young age (17), Pelé was still selected with Brazil to participate in this 1958 World Cup organized in Sweden. A true executioner of the France team, which he almost single-handedly eliminated in the semi-finals by scoring a hat-trick (5-2), he again shook the net twice against Sweden (5-2) to become — and still remain today — the youngest world champion in history.
March 5, 1961: “The most beautiful goal in the history of the Maracana”
In any case, this is what is displayed on a commemorative plaque located at the foot of the stadium’s grandstand. That day against Fluminense, Pelé scored a solitary anthology goal. Ball at the foot, he goes back 70 m, dribble seven opponents before deceiving the opposing goalkeeper.
A memorable goal that even commands the respect of the opposing supporters who will greet him at half-time and at the end of the game, finally won by Santos (3-1).
April 28, 1963: France 2-3 Pelé
That day, Pelé played the one and only match of his career on French soil with the Brazilian jersey on his back. But on the lawn of the Stade Yves-du-Manoir de Colombes, the number 10 of the Seleção is still dragging a muscle injury to his right leg which he is struggling to get rid of.
A glitch that will not prevent him from scoring a resounding hat-trick for a 3-2 auriverde success. “France 2, Pelé 3” will also headline the tricolor press the next day.
July 19, 1966: Pelé targeted, Brazil dismissed
Between its two titles of 1962 and 1970, Brazil experienced the failure of the 1966 World Cup played in England. Back to the wall, in the third group match, Brazil must absolutely win against Portugal. But Pelé will never be able to shine in this meeting during which he is regularly the target of murderous tackles. The Seleção will finally lose 3-1.
November 19, 1969: the 1,000 goal mark crossed
At the dawn of this match against Vasco da Gama, Pelé’s goal counter shows 999. On penalty, the opportunity to cross the bar of 1,000 career goals presents itself for the number 10 of Santos. And although his name is Pelé, he will not escape the intense pressure which then invades his shoulders. But as his name is Pelé, he will ignore the context and transform this penalty in front of the 80,000 spectators of a Maracana in fusion.
June 21, 1970: Pelé for a historic hat-trick
The Seleção arrives in Mexico with the firm intention of washing away the affront of the British World Cup of 1966 where its course had stopped in the group stages. Objective accomplished since, at the end of a one-way final against Italy (4-1), the Seleção climbs for the third time on the roof of the world. Enough to make Pelé the one and only player to have three World Cups in his trophy cabinet. A record that still stands today.
July 18, 1971: end clap with the Seleção
140,000 spectators gathered at the Maracana in Rio to watch their legend’s last match in the Brazilian jersey against Yugoslavia (2-2). ” Stay ! Stay ! ” implores the public, desperate at the idea of never seeing his icon represent Brazil again. A request that Pelé will not accede to, who will definitely put away the yellow and green jersey that has seen him triumph so much.
October 1, 1977: the royal jubilee
Aged 37, Pelé is at the twilight of his career and decides to organize a farewell match between his new team, the New York Cosmos, and his old club, Santos FC. In front of a lucky 75,000, the Brazilian legend played one half in each team. He is then carried in triumph by his teammates and experiences all the trouble in the world to hold back his tears of emotion. An icon is gone.
December 21, 1994: at the highest peak of the Brazilian state
Rather reluctant to rub shoulders with the political world, Pelé was finally appointed head of the Brazilian Sports Ministry at the end of 1994, thus becoming the country’s first black prime minister. He served there until 1998 under the presidency of Social Democrat Fernando Henrique Cardoso.