How Pelé Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Pelé—a timeline of influence.

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was a Brazilian professional footballer celebrated as one of the greatest of all time. As a forward, he achieved remarkable success and popularity, becoming a global icon in the 20th century. He holds a Guinness World Record for scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games. Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 and included in Time's list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, he was voted World Player of the Century by IFFHS and was a joint winner of the FIFA Player of the Century award.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

June 1958: Played in the World Cup Final

On June 29, 1958, Pelé became the youngest player to play in a World Cup final match, at 17 years old, scoring two goals as Brazil beat Sweden 5–2. His first goal in the final was later selected as one of the best goals in the history of the World Cup.

1958: Pelé's Emergence coincided with the spread of television in 1958

David Goldblatt wrote that Pelé's emergence at the World Cup in 1958 coincided with "the explosive spread of television, which massively amplified his presence everywhere".

1958: Just Fontaine on Pelé in 1958

Just Fontaine, French striker and the leading scorer at the 1958 World Cup said "When I saw Pelé play, it made me feel I should hang up my boots."

1961: National Treasure Declaration

In 1961, the government of Brazil declared Pelé an "official national treasure" to prevent him from being transferred out of the country.

1966: Bobby Moore on Pelé in 1966

England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore commented: "Pelé was the most complete player I've ever seen, he had everything. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Quick. Powerful. Could beat people with skill. Could outrun people. Only five feet and eight inches tall, yet he seemed a giant of an athlete on the pitch. Perfect balance and impossible vision. He was the greatest because he could do anything and everything on a football pitch.

November 1969: 1,000th Goal

On November 19, 1969, Pelé scored his 1,000th goal in all competitions in a match against Vasco da Gama at the Maracanã Stadium from a penalty kick.

1970: Paddy Crerand about Pelé during the 1970 World Cup

During the 1970 World Cup, when Manchester United defender Paddy Crerand (who was part of the ITV panel) was asked, "How do you spell Pelé?", he replied, "Easy: G-O-D."

1970: Third FIFA World Cup Win

In 1970, Pelé won his third FIFA World Cup with Brazil, becoming the only player to achieve this feat.

1974: Beckenbauer about Pelé in 1974

According to Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning captain: "Pelé is the greatest player of all time. He reigned supreme for 20 years. There's no one to compare with him."

October 1977: Closed Out Career in Exhibition Match

On October 1, 1977, Pelé concluded his career in an exhibition game between the Cosmos and Santos at Giants Stadium. Pelé played the first half with the Cosmos and the second with Santos, scoring his final career goal for the Cosmos with a free-kick, the Cosmos winning 2-1.

1977: Composed musical pieces for "Pelé" film

In 1977, Pelé composed musical pieces, including Sérgio Mendes' soundtrack for the film "Pelé" directed by François Reichenbach.

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1977: Retirement

In 1977, Pelé retired from professional football and became a worldwide ambassador for the sport.

1978: Zico on Pelé in 1978

Brazilian attacking midfielder Zico, who represented Brazil at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, stated: "This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There's only one possible answer: Pelé. He's the greatest player of all time, and by some distance I might add".

1982: Zico on Pelé in 1982

Brazilian attacking midfielder Zico, who represented Brazil at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, stated: "This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There's only one possible answer: Pelé. He's the greatest player of all time, and by some distance I might add".

1986: Zico on Pelé in 1986

Brazilian attacking midfielder Zico, who represented Brazil at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, stated: "This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There's only one possible answer: Pelé. He's the greatest player of all time, and by some distance I might add".

1992: Appointed UN ambassador for ecology and the environment

In 1992, Pelé was appointed a UN ambassador for ecology and the environment.

1994: Pelé appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

In 1994, Pelé was appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

1994: Romário on Pelé in 1994

Prolific Brazilian striker Romário, winner of the 1994 FIFA World Cup and player of the tournament, remarked: "It's only inevitable I look up to Pelé. He's like a God to us".

1995: Appointed as extraordinary minister for sport

In 1995, Pelé was appointed by Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso to the position of extraordinary minister for sport, during which he proposed the "Pelé law" to reduce corruption in Brazilian football.

1995: Awarded Brazil's gold medal

In 1995, Pelé was awarded Brazil's gold medal for outstanding services to the sport.

1999: Athlete of the Century

In 1999, Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.

1999: International Olympic Committee Athlete of the Century in 1999

In 1999, the International Olympic Committee elected Pelé the Athlete of the Century and Time magazine named him one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century.

December 2000: Shared FIFA Player of the Century award with Maradona

In December 2000, Pelé and Maradona shared the prize of FIFA Player of the Century by FIFA due to controversies with the original web poll results.

2000: IFFHS declares Pelé as 'World's Best and successful Top Division Goal Scorer of all time'

In 2000, IFFHS declared Pelé as the "World's Best and successful Top Division Goal Scorer of all time" with 541 goals in 560 games and honoured him with a trophy.

2000: World Player of the Century

In 2000, Pelé was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century, alongside Diego Maradona.

November 2007: Marks 150th anniversary of Sheffield F.C.

In November 2007, Pelé was in Sheffield, England, to mark the 150th anniversary of Sheffield F.C., the world's oldest football club. He was the guest of honour and opened an exhibition including the first public showing in 40 years of the original hand-written rules of football.

2010: Honorary President of New York Cosmos

In 2010, Pelé was named the honorary president of the New York Cosmos.

2012: Awarded honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh

In 2012, Pelé was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh for his significant contributions to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements.

2012: Named the "greatest" by FIFA in 2012

In 2012, Pelé was named the "greatest" by FIFA solidifying his reputation as one of the most lauded players in football history and frequently ranked as the greatest and most important player ever.

2014: Pelé museum opening in 2014

In 2014, the city of Santos inaugurated the Pelé museum – Museu Pelé – which displays a 2,400 piece collection of Pelé memorabilia. Approximately $22 million was invested in the construction of the museum, housed in a 19th-century mansion.

2016: Auctioned collection for charity

In 2016, Pelé auctioned more than 1600 items from his collection and raised £3.6 million for charity.

2018: Founded the Pelé Foundation

In 2018, Pelé founded his charitable organization, the Pelé Foundation, to empower impoverished and disenfranchised children.

December 2020: Messi surpasses Pelé's record

In December 2020, Lionel Messi of Barcelona surpassed Pelé's record of 643 goals for a single club.

December 2022: Pelé's Death

In December 2022, Pelé, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, passed away.

January 2023: Pelé's funeral in Santos

In January 2023, Pelé's funeral took place at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, with his body displayed in an open coffin. Thousands of fans attended, and the procession was widely covered by Brazilian television.

March 2023: Kigali Pelé Stadium Renamed

In March 2023, the Kigali Pelé Stadium in Rwanda was renamed in honor of Pelé by Rwandan president Paul Kagame and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

April 2023: The nickname pelé became synonymous with 'exceptional, incomparable, unique'

On 26 April 2023, the nickname pelé became synonymous with "exceptional, incomparable, unique" in Michaelis Portuguese-language dictionary after a campaign with 125,000 signatories.

September 2023: Neymar surpassed Pelé's record

In September 2023, Neymar surpassed Pelé's record as the national team's top goalscorer, after holding the record for over fifty years.

2024: Named the "greatest" by FIFA in 2024

In 2024, Pelé was named the "greatest" by FIFA solidifying his reputation as one of the most lauded players in football history and frequently ranked as the greatest and most important player ever.