Pele will forever be part of footballing history. In addition to the countless records and awards he received during his long career, ‘O Rei’ made a name for himself at the World Cup for Brazil.
So much so that today it is impossible to imagine the greatness of the Canarinha without the contribution of the late Brazilian star.
Pele took part in four World Cups (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970) and won three of them (1958, 1962 and 1970), making him the player with the most trophies.
He didn’t do it alone, as he was helped by some other greats like Mario Zagallo, Garrincha, Didi, Vava, Nilton Santos, Djalma Santos, Rivelino and Tostao. But Pele was undoubtedly the star that shined the brightest in at least two World Cups: 1958 and 1970.
In 1962, he was only able to play in two matches, scoring one goal, before getting injured against Czechoslovakia.
It wasn’t until 2007 that FIFA awarded him with a winner’s medal, as at the time it was only awarded to players who played in the final.
That title stands in contrast to those of 1958 and 1970. In 1958, Pele announced himself to the world.
At the age of 17, he played a key role, together with Garrincha, in securing Brazil’s first title, who now have five (1994 and 2002 and the three already mentioned with Pele).
A ‘child’ in Sweden
‘O Rei’ appeared in stadiums in Sweden 1958 in the first World Cup televised in Europe and proved to be a phenomenon.
In 1962 he suffered an injury that left him sidelined after the second match, but in 1970 it became known as Pele‘s World Cup.
Already mature, he was the biggest star of the national team. After the 1966 World Cup in which Brazil was knocked out in the first round, Pele wanted revenge and he got it four years later.
At almost 30 years of age and at the peak of his career, he gave a goal-scoring lesson (4 goals) and also made history the best non-goal in football against Uruguay.
In the final against Italy, Brazil won 4-1 thanks to goal and two assists from O Rei, who said goodbye with the title.
Brazil says goodbye to the top scorer in its history (77 goals) along with Neymar, and its most winning player in World Cups (3).