Pelé’s Greatest Feats

The life and times of soccer's most iconic player.

The Life and Times of Pelé - He is to soccer what Michael Jordan is to basketball, what Babe Ruth is to baseball, and Muhammad Ali to boxing. Pelé — simply the best. With the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament being held in his native Brazil, we decided it was the right time to roll out this list of Pelé's greatest feats. Here, we pay homage to the life and times of the greatest soccer player the world has ever seen.  (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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The Life and Times of Pelé - He is to soccer what Michael Jordan is to basketball, what Babe Ruth is to baseball, and Muhammad Ali to boxing. Pelé — simply the best. With the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament being held in his native Brazil, we decided it was the right time to roll out this list of Pelé's greatest feats. Here, we pay homage to the life and times of the greatest soccer player the world has ever seen.  (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Overcoming Humble Beginnings in Sao Paulo - Before we can even begin to discuss Pelé's greatness on and off the soccer field, we have to point out that the man overcame all odds growing up in poverty — stricken Bauru, Sao Paulo. There, he was taught soccer by his father, although they were so poor that they couldn't even afford a proper ball. Instead, Pelé honed his skills dribbling and kicking around a grapefruit and even a sock stuffed with a newspaper and tied to a string. Where there's a will, there's a way. Ask Pelé.(Photo: Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images)

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Overcoming Humble Beginnings in Sao Paulo - Before we can even begin to discuss Pelé's greatness on and off the soccer field, we have to point out that the man overcame all odds growing up in poverty — stricken Bauru, Sao Paulo. There, he was taught soccer by his father, although they were so poor that they couldn't even afford a proper ball. Instead, Pelé honed his skills dribbling and kicking around a grapefruit and even a sock stuffed with a newspaper and tied to a string. Where there's a will, there's a way. Ask Pelé.(Photo: Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images)

Signing First Pro Contract at 15 - After leading the Bauru Athletic Club juniors to three consecutive state youth championships (1954-1956), Pelé's coach, Waldemar de Brito, took the then-15-year-old prodigy to try out for pro club Santos FC. De Brito's message was simple, telling Santos that Pelé will be the greatest football player in the world. They gave him a shot, officially signing Pelé' in June 1956. By the time he hit 16, he had made his debut, earned a spot as a starter, and became the league's top scorer. Quick rise to the top.(Photo: Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

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Signing First Pro Contract at 15 - After leading the Bauru Athletic Club juniors to three consecutive state youth championships (1954-1956), Pelé's coach, Waldemar de Brito, took the then-15-year-old prodigy to try out for pro club Santos FC. De Brito's message was simple, telling Santos that Pelé will be the greatest football player in the world. They gave him a shot, officially signing Pelé' in June 1956. By the time he hit 16, he had made his debut, earned a spot as a starter, and became the league's top scorer. Quick rise to the top.(Photo: Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Increasing Popularity of Soccer in United States - There's definitely a case of World Cup fever spreading across the United States — especially after USA's 2-1 win over Ghana on Monday. However, the sport wasn't always this popular among Americans, and although it still has a ways to go, Pelé is credited with helping the popularity for soccer in the U.S. even get to this point. His short stint (1974-77) with the New York Cosmos of the now-defunct North American Soccer League gained national media coverage and exposure, even drawing the likes of Muhammad Ali to an exhibition match held at Giants Stadium. (Photo: Leo Correa/AP Photo)

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Increasing Popularity of Soccer in United States - There's definitely a case of World Cup fever spreading across the United States — especially after USA's 2-1 win over Ghana on Monday. However, the sport wasn't always this popular among Americans, and although it still has a ways to go, Pelé is credited with helping the popularity for soccer in the U.S. even get to this point. His short stint (1974-77) with the New York Cosmos of the now-defunct North American Soccer League gained national media coverage and exposure, even drawing the likes of Muhammad Ali to an exhibition match held at Giants Stadium. (Photo: Leo Correa/AP Photo)

Dominates 1958 World Cup - One mark of any athlete's greatness is his or her ability to lead a team when it matters most. Pelé did just that, playing in his first World Cup tournament in 1958. The young footballer's star rose to new heights, as he scored six goals in four matches to lead Brazil to victory. Among Pelé's highlights that tournament were a hat trick he netted in the second half of the semifinal against France, and two more goals he kicked during Brazil's win over Sweden in the championship match.AFP PHOTO/INTERCONTINENTALE (Photo: Staff/AFP/Getty Images)

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Dominates 1958 World Cup - One mark of any athlete's greatness is his or her ability to lead a team when it matters most. Pelé did just that, playing in his first World Cup tournament in 1958. The young footballer's star rose to new heights, as he scored six goals in four matches to lead Brazil to victory. Among Pelé's highlights that tournament were a hat trick he netted in the second half of the semifinal against France, and two more goals he kicked during Brazil's win over Sweden in the championship match.AFP PHOTO/INTERCONTINENTALE (Photo: Staff/AFP/Getty Images)

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Leading Santos Against Nigeria During Civil War - Pelé was so good and so popular throughout the world that in 1967 the two groups of a continuing Nigerian Civil War agreed to a two-day ceasefire so that they could watch the master footballer play an exhibition match with Santos. Powerful.(Photo: Keystone France/Getty Images)

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Leading Santos Against Nigeria During Civil War - Pelé was so good and so popular throughout the world that in 1967 the two groups of a continuing Nigerian Civil War agreed to a two-day ceasefire so that they could watch the master footballer play an exhibition match with Santos. Powerful.(Photo: Keystone France/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Keystone France/Getty Images

Winning Three World Cup Championships - Winning a number of championships is a key measure of any great athlete's career. Pelé stands out here, leading Brazil to three World Cup titles (1958, 1962 and 1970) and remaining the only player to win three World Cup championships. King Pelé!  (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

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Winning Three World Cup Championships - Winning a number of championships is a key measure of any great athlete's career. Pelé stands out here, leading Brazil to three World Cup titles (1958, 1962 and 1970) and remaining the only player to win three World Cup championships. King Pelé!  (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

Remaining Brazil's All-time Leading Goal Scorer - It's no secret that Brazil is a soccer powerhouse, churning out football stars left and right, before and after Pelé. But when talking about Pelé's dominance consider this for a moment. As great as Ronaldhino was for Brazil with 33 goals for the national team, Pelé was that much better with 77 goals and three World Cup title wins. If there's anyone who deserves to wear the crown for Brazil, it's Pelé. When European football clubs tried to pry Pelé away from Brazil following the 1962 World Cup, Brazil's national government deemed him a "national treasure" to prevent him from being shipped out. His goal record is definitely safe, but does young stud Neymar have a shot at catching Pelé's mark? Only time will tell.(Photos from Left: Central Press/Getty Images, Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

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Remaining Brazil's All-time Leading Goal Scorer - It's no secret that Brazil is a soccer powerhouse, churning out football stars left and right, before and after Pelé. But when talking about Pelé's dominance consider this for a moment. As great as Ronaldhino was for Brazil with 33 goals for the national team, Pelé was that much better with 77 goals and three World Cup title wins. If there's anyone who deserves to wear the crown for Brazil, it's Pelé. When European football clubs tried to pry Pelé away from Brazil following the 1962 World Cup, Brazil's national government deemed him a "national treasure" to prevent him from being shipped out. His goal record is definitely safe, but does young stud Neymar have a shot at catching Pelé's mark? Only time will tell.(Photos from Left: Central Press/Getty Images, Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Developing the Bicycle Kick - Already equipped with a seemingly-endless arsenal of powerful kicks that almost always seemed to find the back of the net, Pelé upped the ante with the bicycle kick. The air-born attack would have Pelé kick the ball backwards up and over his head with his back parallel to the ground. A thrilling sight. (Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

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Developing the Bicycle Kick - Already equipped with a seemingly-endless arsenal of powerful kicks that almost always seemed to find the back of the net, Pelé upped the ante with the bicycle kick. The air-born attack would have Pelé kick the ball backwards up and over his head with his back parallel to the ground. A thrilling sight. (Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Named a UN Ambassador - In 1992, Pelé was named U.N. Ambassador for ecology and environment. That's on top of the global ambassador work he's been doing for the game of soccer going on five decades strong. (Photo: MAURICIO DE SOUZA/ESTADAO CONTEUDO DPA/LANDOV)

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Named a UN Ambassador - In 1992, Pelé was named U.N. Ambassador for ecology and environment. That's on top of the global ambassador work he's been doing for the game of soccer going on five decades strong. (Photo: MAURICIO DE SOUZA/ESTADAO CONTEUDO DPA/LANDOV)

Athlete of the Century - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) named Pelé the Athlete of the Century in 1999. Wow. Is there a better honor? Long live Pelé, the greatest soccer player of all time. (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

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Athlete of the Century - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) named Pelé the Athlete of the Century in 1999. Wow. Is there a better honor? Long live Pelé, the greatest soccer player of all time. (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)