Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Pele was born October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Pele is just a nickname for Edson Arantes do Nascimento. We don't know why he or someone else chose his nickname but there are some stories like he mispronounced his favorite soccer player, Belé. Pelé grew up in a very poor neighborhood, where one of the only sources of entertainment for a boy was to play soccer, barefoot and with a makeshift ball. Pelé was coached by his father and the hard work soon paid off, for when he was eleven Pelé played for his first soccer team. He moved up in competition with amazing skill and soon was one of the best players on the team. At the age of fifteen his adviser, former soccer star de Brito, brought him to Sao Paulo to try out for the major league teams. Pelé was quickly rejected. De Brito brought Pelé to Santos where he earned a spot on the team. Pelé was currently making about 50 dollars in US money. Until he was given more popularity from the team Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
