Pele

Think you know all there is to know about Pele? Well, did you know that Pele played in his first World Cup tournament at the age of seventeen? Did you know that in 1967, both sides in Nigeria's civil war called a 48-hour cease-fire so Pele could play an exhibition match in the capital of Lagos? Did you know that Pele has scored more than 1,200 goals in his professional career? Born into poverty in Tres Coracoes, Brazil, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (aka Pele) fell in love with soccer at a young age. When he was ten, Pele and some friends started a soccer team. A year later, a coach took notice of his talent and began to train him. By the time he was just fifteen, Pele had joined a professional team. This was the beginning of a long career in which Pele led Brazil to victory in three World Cup tournaments. Pele became an international celebrity whose name was synonymous with soccer. His fame allowed him to raise awareness of his beloved game around the world.