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Glam Monitor

What is Pele's correct name?

Author

David Ramirez

Updated on July 28, 2026

Pelé, byname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, (born October 23, 1940, Três Corações, Brazil), Brazilian football (soccer) player, in his time probably the most famous and possibly the best-paid athlete in the world.

What did FIFA once call Pele?

To take full advantage of his popularity, his teams toured internationally. During his career, he became known as "The Black Pearl" (A Pérola Negra), "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol), "The King Pelé" (O Rei Pelé) or simply "The King" (O Rei).

Why do they call him Pele?

The name Pele actually came about in his school days, when he would mispronounce the name of Vasco da Gama goalkeeper Bile. The name was intended to make fun of him for it, yet the more he protested against it, the more the nickname stuck. At the time of his professional debut in 1956, Pele was 15.

Does Pele speak English?

'” Pelé, who didn't speak English at the time, recalled to Esquire in 2016. “And I said, 'My God. '"

Is Pele the goat of soccer?

Winner — Pele

Pele is the clear winner in all criteria. His three-time World Cup-winning feat, from four World Cup appearances, is unlikely to be matched. Pele scored a Guinness World Record 1279 goals in 1363 games and also collected the following personal records along the way: Youngest winner of a World Cup.

29 related questions found

Why is Pele a legend?

Brazilian football (soccer) player Pelé is regarded as perhaps the greatest player in the history the game. In his time he was probably the most famous and possibly the best-paid athlete in the world. He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, and 1970).

Who has more goals Ronaldo or Pele?

Ronaldo's hat-trick means he has now scored a total of 770 goals in his career, surpassing Pele's unofficial total of 767 'official' goals. “Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches,” Pele said on Instagram on Sunday.

Is Messi better than Ronaldo?

While Ronaldo currently has more goals overall, Messi has the edge in the scoring department, with a higher season average (39.5 to 35), having hit a high of 73 goals in 2011-12.

Is Pele rich?

Net Worth: $100 Million

Pele is a retired football player with an incredible net worth, and he is considered by many fans, players, and experts as among the best football players of all time. What is this? Pele's net worth is approximately $100 million.

Did Pele cheat on his wife?

Speaking in the Netflix film about his life and triumph at the 1970 World Cup, Pele confesses that he cheated on his spouses. The Brazilian footballer, who has been married three times, admits he had so many affairs he didn't even know how many kids he had.

What is Pele's personality?

In summary, Pele's loyalty and passion drove his skill to such an elevated level and made a lasting impact on the future of soccer. His skill, devotion, mental toughness, and knowledge of the game are all qualities of Pele.

Is Pele ill?

Football legend Pele has undergone surgery to remove a tumour from his colon. The three-time World Cup winner described feeling 'optimistic' after Saturday's operation. Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is determined to face his illness "with a smile on his face".

Who is the No 1 footballer in the world?

1. Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi is the best player of his generation. He's already won just about everything at the age of 24.