| Football is one of the most popular sports in America | | | | Brazilian Championship for the club Santos and for the |
| today. But do you know who the best football player | | | | club New York Cosmos; he had won the US |
| of all time is? Pele is the best football player of all time | | | | Championship once. This guy is honored as the IFFHS |
| for his remarkable performance in his key role in two | | | | Player of the Century. He was inducted into the |
| of Brazil's first three World Cup victories. | | | | National Soccer Hall of Fame in the year 1993 and |
| Some personal information about him is that Pele's full | | | | named as IOC Athlete of the Century in the year 1999. |
| name is Edson Arantes Do Nascimento. His childhood | | | | There is no doubt that Pele is the best football player |
| nickname was "Dico." This great man was born on | | | | of all time because of his significant contributions in the |
| October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. He has | | | | world of football. Ney Blanco de Oliveira, Pele's |
| humble beginnings. As a boy he helped his family's | | | | personal friend for more than 40 years, admires him |
| financial condition by cleaning shoes at the local train | | | | for being a kind person who has the heart to help |
| station. In 1956 at the age of 16, he began playing | | | | other people and organizations that help children |
| soccer in Brazilian minor league teams such as Bauru | | | | around the world. He mentioned that, "Edson is not only |
| Athletic Club and was coached by the former Brazilian | | | | the greatest soccer player the world will ever know, |
| international Waldemar de Brito, who played for Brazil | | | | but he is also one of the most sensitive, generous and |
| during the 1934 World Cup. | | | | noble human beings that I have ever known." Two of |
| Pele played for the clubs Santos and New York | | | | the famous lines from this great person: "I was born |
| Cosmos and his best position is being striker. He had | | | | for soccer, just as Beethoven was born for music," |
| won 3 World Championships for Brazil, 2 | | | | and, "Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and |
| Intercontinental Cups, 2 Copa Libertadores, and a | | | | vibrating like a guitar string. |