Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is an 82-year-old Brazilian former professional footballer, born October 23, 1940 in Torres Corazoniz, Minas Gerais, Brazil. who started playing for Santos at the age of 15 and for the Brazilian national team at the age of 16.

During his international career, he became the only player to win three FIFA World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pelé is Brazil’s all-time top scorer, with 77 goals scored in 92 matches. At club level, he is Santos’ top scorer with 643 goals in 659 appearances. During Santos’ golden era, he led the club to the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963 and the Intercontinental Cup in 1962 and 1963.

Biography of Pele

Pelé was born into a poor family that could not afford many things. But as he continued to struggle financially in São Paulo and worked various jobs to help support his family, young Pelé discovered his true talent in this field.

ALSO READ: Pelé Cause of Death, Family, Age, Net Worth

Waldemar de Brito coached him alongside his father, himself a footballer, and Pelé began to mature as a player under the tutelage of a former international named Baul Athletic Club Juniors. Coach Debrito recognized his abilities and recommended a trial training session at Santos FC.

The team management agreed with De Brito’s assessment and signed Pelé in June 1956. Just three months after him, Pelé scored a goal on his debut. It was little known at the time, but it boded well for the continued success of Pelé’s professional career.

In less than a year, Pelé was at the top of the league’s top scorer rankings. His performance at just 17 years old caught the attention of the national team and he did not disappoint. In his first appearance on the world stage, he scored important goals in the semi-final and final of the 1958 World Cup and won the championship with the Brazilian national team.

By this point, he had achieved superhero status in Brazil and become famous around the world. The Brazilian government honored him as a “national treasure” and elevated his status in the country, but prevented him from receiving large donations.

According to some reports, around 1970, when he was at the top, Pelé decided to hang up his hat and turn his back on football. But ultimately he was persuaded to play his final World Cup with Brazil in Mexico, considered by many to be the greatest team of all time.

Pelé helped Brazil win the tournament with a goal and several assists, for which he received the Ballon d’Or. Pelé stayed with the Brazilian team for about a year before resigning in 1971. A few years later, he said goodbye to Santos fans. However, his playing days were not yet over.

ALSO READ: Pelé’s wife: who is Marcia Aoki? Age, wealth

By the time Pelé retired in 1977, he had set a number of seemingly unbreakable records. In his 1,363 matches, he scored a total of 1,283 goals, making him the top scorer in Brazilian national team and FIFA history. His 92 hat tricks were equally impressive. He also won three FIFA World Cup medals and set the record for most individual victories. But his beginnings should not be overlooked as a brilliant young man, Pelé is the youngest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final and the youngest to score a goal.

Pelé children: meet the seven children of Pelé

Pelé married three times, had several affairs and thus had several children. On February 21, 1966, Pelé married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. They had two daughters and a son. In April 1994, Pelé married psychologist and gospel singer Assyria Lemos Seishas and on September 28, 1996, through fertility treatments, she gave birth to twins Joshua and Celeste.

Edinho

Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, better known as Edinho, is a 52-year-old Brazilian football manager and former player turned goalkeeper and is the current manager of Londrina. Edinho is the son of football legend Pelé and his first wife Rosemeri Cholbi Nascimento, of Brazilian-Argentine descent.

Edinho played for four clubs in Santos, Portugal, Santista, San Caetano and Ponte Preta until his retirement from professional football in 1999 at the age of 29. His biggest success was joining team Santos, where he finished second in Serie A in 1995.

In 2005, he was arrested for money laundering and drug trafficking. He appealed the verdict and was allowed to continue his flight until he appealed. In 2014, he was sentenced to 33 years in prison for the crime, but strongly denied any involvement.

The court reduced his sentence to 12 years and 10 months, but Edinho had to serve his prison sentence. Edinho began serving his sentence in 2017, but the following year he opted for a semi-open regime. In September 2019, he benefited from an open regime.

On 14 October 2016, Edinho took over as manager of his father’s hometown club Tricordiano for the following season, but on 8 February, after just two competitive matches, he resigned and was dismissed. On November 1, 2019, Edinho returned to Santos as development coordinator. In October the following year, he was named U23 coach.

Sandra Regina Machado Arantes do Nascimento

Sandra Regina Machado Arantes do Nascimento Felinto, born August 24, 1964 in Guaruja, was a Brazilian politician from Santos, São Paulo. She gained national fame after a long legal battle with Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the famous former Pelé player, in which she demanded recognition from her father.

Sandra Machado was born from an affair Pelé had with a housekeeper, Anizia Machado, in 1964, but he refused to accept her as a daughter even after a DNA test. Although the courts recognized her as his biological daughter in 1993 based on DNA evidence, Pelé never recognized his eldest daughter, even after her death in 2006.

Sandra Machado died from lung metastases, multiple organ failure and complications from breast cancer in the intensive care unit of Beneficencia Portugal in Santos, where she was hospitalized. Although it was resected, it quickly spread to her left breast and various organs despite chemotherapy.

According to her medical report, Sandra Machado believed in divine miracles and preferred to delay treatment, which is why she resisted treatment. Pelé did not attend his daughter’s funeral, but sent flowers on behalf of the Pelé company, which were returned.

Sandra Machado married Rev. Felinto at the Evangelical Assembly of God and had two children, Octavio and Gabriel. She attended law school.

Joshua Nascimento

Joshua Nascimento is a 25-year-old Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil to Assyrians Lemos and Pelé, Joshua spent most of his football career with Brazilian club Santos FC. He led the club in the 2013 São Paulo State Cup championship and won.

Joshua Nascimento is a graduate of Foundation Academy University. He also supported the youth of Santos FC in Brazil through his charities by distributing jerseys to children while they played at the academy.

Celeste Nasciment

Celeste Arantes do Nascimento is the eldest twin son of soccer champion Pelé and psychologist and gospel singer Assyria Lemos Seixias, a Brazilian dynasty. Celeste arrived first at 9:40 p.m., making her the first son, and her twin brother Joshua arrived a minute later. These were premature babies born at the 30th week of pregnancy.

Pele’s wife Assyria was 36 when he was 56. They married on May 30, 1994 and he had already had a vasectomy, so the baby was in a test tube. He was present during the C-section and “cried more than a baby”.

Kelly Cristina Nascimento

Kelly Cristina Nascimento, born January 13, 1967, is a storyteller, speaker, sports diplomat, sport for development and peace. Despite being the daughter of footballer Pelé, Kelly has managed to keep her life off social media.

Flávia Christina Kurtz Nascimento

Favia Christiana is the daughter of Pelé and Kurtz and, like Kelly, has been able to keep her life private as there is not much information about her in the media.

Jennifer Nascimento

Jennifer is the 44-year-old daughter of Pelé, born in 1978 with Rosemeri, his first wife.