The story of a poor boy from Brazil who became the greatest soccer
player of all time and one of the most important athletes of the
twentieth century!
His parents may have named him Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but to the
rest of the world, he is known as Pelé. The now-retired professional
soccer forward stunned Brazil when he began playing for the Santos
soccer club at age fifteen. He then went on to captivate the world when
he joined his country's national soccer team and helped them win three
World Cup championships. Although he's hailed as a national hero for his
accomplishments in soccer, Pelé has been an influential person both on
and off the pitch. His work with organizations like UNICEF has helped
improve conditions for children around the world. Young readers can
learn more about the man who connected soccer with the phrase "The
Beautiful Game."