Edson Arantes do Nascimento, aka Pelé, was a well-known Brazilian professional football player. Born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Pelé was taught how to play football at an early age by his father, who was a professional football player. In his youth, Pelé played on amateur teams and also played on teams for the indoor football sport called futsal.

Pelé’s skill excelled, eventually leading him to begin playing for Brazilian football club Santos at age 15 and then for the Brazil national team at 16. Pele made a name for himself as an all-time goalscorer. Additionally, he helped with three FIFA World Cup titles, making a name for himself as the youngest player to do so, at age 17.

Over the course of his career, Pelé scored 1,279 goals, which was even made into a Guinness World Record. Alongside a number of awards, Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and voted as World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). Pele remains one of the most important football players in sports history.

Outside of his football career, Pelé was an avid supporter of humanitarian and environmental charitable causes globally and within Brazil.