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Pelé
Credited with popularizing the term "the beautiful game" in connection to football, it was Pelé who made the game beautiful. A true legend in every sense of the word, Pelé started playing football professionally at the age of 15. By 16 he had earned his first cap for Brazil, and just a year later, aged 17, he played an influential role in helping his nation lift the World Cup.
Pelé went on to play in four World Cups, winning three of them in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He is the only player in history to lift the trophy three times. The forward remains the record goalscorer for Brazil and his club side, Santos, with 77 goals in 92 games for his nation and 619 goals in 638 appearances for his beloved club.
His personal career achievements are extraordinary and include seven (7) Ballon d'Ors, the Fifa World Cup Golden Ball in 1970, Fifa Player of the Century in 2000, and a knighthood from the Queen of England. He is credited with having the most career goals with 1,283 goals in 1,363 games, holds the record as the youngest player to lift the World Cup at 17 years and 249 days, and is the youngest player to score a World Cup hattrick at 17 years and 244 days.
Pelé's career spanned almost two decades and changed the way football was played forever. A complete forward with a wide range of skills, Pelé popularized dribbling techniques such as feints and jaw-dropping moves such as the bicycle kick. His reputation within the game is best summed up by West Germany's World Cup-winning captain, Franz Beckenbauer:
"Pelé is the greatest player of all time. He reigned supreme for 20 years. All the others – Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini – rank beneath him. There's no one to compare with Pelé." - Franz Beckenbauer
While Pelé's career on the field was truly astonishing, his influence on the beautiful game since retiring had added to his legacy. He helped to transform football in the United States and became a global ambassador for football via numerous commercial ventures. He has even influenced the highest echelons of the game, working against corruption in Brazilan football by proposing legislation known as "Pelé Law".
Pelé's long and distinguished career is incomparable as no player has yet achieved what the Brazilian legend did during his time on the pitch. An icon, a legend, and an ambassador, Pelé is truly the personification of the beautiful game.
