There are very few professional football players who can be described as genuine legends. However, one of the most legendary players to have ever graced the beautiful game is former Brazil and Santos legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known simply as Pele.
His performances at international level made him a legend

Mention the name Pele to most football fans, and they get the vision of the forward in his yellow Brazil kit in numerous World Cups.
In fact, it was at the 1958 World Cup that he burst onto the international football scene—having made his Selecao debut in a friendly against arch-rivals Argentina in July 1957.
He actually arrived at the World Cup carrying a slight knee issue. He didn’t play until Brazil’s third game of the tournament. He produced an assist for Vava against the USSR to seal Brazil’s place in the next round.
His appearance against the USSR made him the youngest player ever to appear at a World Cup. Against France, the young forward produced an even better performance, scoring a second-half hat-trick to help the Selecao record a 5-2 win over Les Bleus.
He became the youngest-ever hat-trick scorer at a World Cup, as he was 17 years and 244 days old when scoring his treble. The record still stands today.
Just a few days later, Pele scored a brace in a 5-2 final victory over Sweden. He remains the youngest-ever World Cup final goalscorer.
The forward returned four years later with Brazil as the Selecao defended their crown in Chile. At the time, he was considered the world’s best player.
He scored and assisted in the Selecao’s opening game against Mexico. Unfortunately, in Brazil’s next match against Czechoslovakia, Pele picked up an injury that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Brazil would still triumph in the competition, with a Garrincha goal enough to see off Czechoslovakia in the final. As Pele wasn’t in the Selecao’s final squad, he didn’t receive a medal. However, in 2007, the forward was retrospectively awarded a medal.
Pele played a slightly more active role for Brazil at the 1966 World Cup in England. However, he received some rough treatment from opposition players, as he was still regarded as the best player in the world.
Defenders from both Bulgaria and Portugal were brutal in their treatment of the forward. However, he scored his only goal of the tournament against Bulgaria with a free kick. In doing so, Pele became the first player ever to score in three World Cups.
However, he missed the second game against Hungary due to an injury picked up in the opener. His absence was felt, and the Selecao suffered defeat.
The forward returned for Brazil’s vital third game at Goodison Park. In the clash, Pele picked up an injury after a late tackle from Portugal’s Joao Morais.
Many believed the defender should been dismissed, but he wasn’t, and the Brazilian forward spent the rest of the game limping through injury.
His injury had a significant effect on his team, as Eusebio-inspired Portugal recorded a 3-1 victory to eliminate the Selecao from the competition. Eusebio and co. were beaten in the semi-finals 2-1 by hosts England, who went on to lift the trophy.
Pele was furious after the game, stating that he would never play at another World Cup.
Last World Cup win and the end of his international career

However, Pele returned to the Brazil squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico after initially refusing to take part in the tournament.
The decision proved to be a shrewd one, as the forward scored six goals in six games in the competition. Once again, he made an impact in a final, as he leapt home to open the scoring at the Azteca Stadium in a 4-1 victory over Italy. The goal was Brazil’s 100th at the World Cup.
The Selecao’s victory was their third at the World Cup, which meant that the South American country kept the Jules Rimet Trophy. Pele’s six goals were also enough to earn him the competition’s Golden Boot award.
Pele’s international career didn’t last long after the victory. He played his final international match on July 18th, 1971, facing Yugoslavia at the Maracana.
By the time Pele retired from the international game, he had scored an impressive 77 goals in 92 appearances for his national team.
The Brazilian legend is the only player ever to win the World Cup on three separate occasions.
Impressive stats at club level

His prominent performances with Brazil often overshadow his club career at Santos.
However, Pele was lethal with his club team over a 19-year career, scoring 643 goals in 659 games in all competitions with the Brazilian club. He is still regarded as one of the most prolific players in the history of the game.
Pele also enjoyed a prolific few years in the United States, plying his trade at New York Cosmos for three seasons, where he scored 66 goals in 106 appearances in all competitions.
The forward’s goalscoring exploits have also been recognised by FIFA, as his record of 1,281 goals in 1,363 games in all competitions, including friendly games and tours, is considered a world record.
His goals were vital for Santos, as during his career with his boyhood club, Pele’s goals helped his team to six Serie A titles and two Copa Libertadores titles.
A legend that will never die
Sadly, Pele passed away on 29th December 2022 after a long battle with colon cancer. The man may well have passed off this mortal coil, but his legend will never die.
The Brazilian forward was a one-off, and his sort may well never come around again. He scored goals and brought joy to millions of people when on a football pitch.
Although he may not have been perfect off the pitch, his performances on the pitch will ensure that his football is never forgotten, which is the mark of true legendary status.