Last week on October 23, Brazil football legend Pele celebrated his 80th birthday today. Today, we take a look at his journey in football and personal life through some archived, rare photos accompanied by some funny captions on Instagram. (Pictures Courtesy/ Pele Instagram)
Updated On: 2019-10-23 11:17 AM IST
Pele is a football legend not only in Brazil, but all over the world. He is considerend one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Pele with his third wife Marcia Aoki on their wedding day. The couple were dating since 2010 and were married in 2016. Pele has been married a total of three times.
Pele first met Marica Aoki in the 1980s and then again in 2008. Aoki is of Japanese-Brazilian origin and is an importer in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Pele's full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento. He was named after Thomas Edson.
Pele is the son of Dondinho - a former Fluminense footballer. Pele also has two younger siblings.
Pele: When kick-off approached, only football was in my head, no matter what the distractions.
Pele's emotional tribute to his mother: On International Women's Day, I want to say thank you to my mother, Dona Celeste. She did everything to allow me to devote myself to my dreams. I want to know - who are you going to pay tribute to today?
Pele is a national hero in Brazil for all he has achieved in football. Pele has been an inspiration, not only for footballers, but also people around the globe.
Pele played for the Brazilian football club Santos for 19 years. He had 638 appearances and scored a whopping 619 goals. He then played for New York Cosmos in 56 appearances and scored 31 goals.
A football historian told me last week that on this day in 1972, I scored my 1100th goal - against Napoli. I loved playing in Italy but their defenders were never exactly gentle
Pele played for the Brazil national team in 92 matches scoring 77 goals.
Pele is the current all-time leading goal scorer of Brazil with 77 goals.
Pele has a world record for the most number of hattricks with 92.
At age 17, Pele also has the record to be the Youngest FIFA World Cup winner.
Pele with Diego Maradona: Happy birthday, my friend @maradona. You will probably be having a quiet night in with a good book but I hope you also find time to have a small celebration!
Pele with Gisele Bundchen: A happy birthday to someone almost as good-looking as me, my fellow Brazilian, @gisele!
Pele with Sylvester Stallone: It's the birthday of my friend, @officialslystallone. We were in a football film together. Can anyone quote me a line from it? (And happy birthday, Sly!)
Pele with Michael Schumacher: Today I want to honour @MichaelSchumacher on his 49th birthday. Keep fighting, my friend. Never give up
Pele has numerous FIFA World Cup records - Youngest goalscorer, Youngest to score a hattrick, Youngest to play in a final, Youngest goalscorer in a final
Pele has won the FIFA World Cup three times with Brazil - 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He got the nickname 'Pele' during his days in school.
During his childhood, Pele lived in poverty and also worked as a servant in tea stalls.
In 2000, Pele was named the FIFA Player of the Century.
Pele: Everyone needs to visualise what they want to achieve in order to make things happen. Never give up
Pele has also acted in a few Hollywood films such as Escape to Victory, Hotshot, Os Trapalhoes e o Rei do Futebol.
Pele also had a biopic made on him in 2016. It was named Pele - Birth of a Legend.
In 1994, Pele was named the Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO.
