How many World Cup titles did Pelé win?
Pelé won three FIFA World Cup titles, in 1958, 1962, and 1970, making him the only player in history to have won the tournament three times.
Questions about Pelé
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How old was Pelé when he won his first World Cup?
Pelé was 17 years old when Brazil won the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, making him the youngest player ever to win a FIFA World Cup.
What is Pelé's career goals record?
Pelé holds a Guinness World Record for most career goals in football, with 1,283 goals in 1,363 games, a figure that includes friendlies and international tours.
What club did Pelé play for in Brazil?
Pelé played for Santos FC in Brazil from 1956 to 1975, scoring 643 goals in 659 competitive games and remaining the club's all-time top scorer until December 2020.
Why did Pelé join the New York Cosmos?
Pelé came out of retirement to sign with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League in 1975, where he was credited with significantly increasing public interest in football in the United States. He played three seasons there, finishing his career with a Soccer Bowl title in 1977.
What individual honors did Pelé receive during his lifetime?
Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, was voted World Player of the Century by the IFFHS in 2000, and was a joint winner of the FIFA Player of the Century alongside Diego Maradona. He also received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.