12 chapters
Story: Chapters
A part of his life, told in order: where he was, what happened and why it mattered.
1940–1956Childhood in Três Corações and BauruEdson Arantes do Nascimento grew up poor in Bauru, learning football from his father with a ball made of rags.1956–1958Santos: discovery and debut (1956–1957)At 15 Pelé joined Santos, scored on his debut, and within a year was the top scorer in São Paulo and playing for Brazil.1958Sweden 1958A 17-year-old Pelé scored six goals, including two in the final, as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time.1959–1966The peak years at Santos (1959–1965)With Pelé at his peak, Santos became club champions of South America and of the world, twice each.1962Chile 1962: the injuryPelé went to Chile as the world's best player but was injured in the second match; Brazil won the World Cup without him.1966England 1966Fouled out of two of Brazil's three matches, Pelé saw the holders go out in the first round and vowed never to play another World Cup.1969The 1,000th goal (1969)On 19 November 1969 Pelé scored his 1,000th goal by the count of the time, a penalty at the Maracanã that stopped the country.1970Mexico 1970In his fourth and last World Cup, Pelé led one of the finest teams ever assembled to Brazil's third title.1971–1974Leaving Brazil and Santos (1971–1974)Pelé said goodbye to the national team in 1971 and to Santos in 1974, and turned down a return for the 1974 World Cup.1975–1977New York Cosmos (1975–1977)Pelé came out of retirement to play for the New York Cosmos, drew huge crowds, and finished with the 1977 NASL title.1977–2021After footballAfter retiring, Pelé acted, wrote, represented the UN and UNESCO, and served as Brazil's first Minister of Sport.2021–2023Illness, death and legacyPelé died of colon cancer in December 2022 at 82; more than 230,000 people filed past his coffin in Santos.