Edison Arantes do Nascimento, KBE (born 23 October 1940, Três Corações, Minas Gerais), best known by his nickname Pelé (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [peˈlɛ], usual English pronunciation: /ˈpɛleɪ/) is a Brazilian football player. He was given the title "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee. While his birth certificate shows his first name as Edison, he prefers to call himself Edson, but it is as Pelé that he has be...
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Edison Arantes do Nascimento, KBE (born 23 October 1940, Três Corações, Minas Gerais), best known by his nickname Pelé (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [peˈlɛ], usual English pronunciation: /ˈpɛleɪ/) is a Brazilian football player. He was given the title "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee. While his birth certificate shows his first name as Edison, he prefers to call himself Edson, but it is as Pelé that he has become a sporting legend.
In his native Brazil, Pelé is hailed as a national hero. He is known for his accomplishments and contributions to the game of football in addition to being officially declared football ambassador of the world by FIFA and a national treasure by the Brazilian government. He is also acknowledged for his vocal support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor (when he scored his 1,000th goal he dedicated it to the poor children of Brazil). During his career, he became known as "The King of Football" (O Rei do...
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