Pele

Pele kissing his golden shoe (google images (SportApex.com))

Edson Arantes do Nascimento also known as Pele, was born October 21 1940.  Pele is widely known as the best soccer player of all time. He is the most successful League goal scorer in the world with 541 League goals in total, he scored 1,281 goals in 1363 games. Pele is known for his accomplishments and contributions. "He is also acknowledged for his vocal support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor" (WIKIPEDIA)  His 1,000 goal was dedicated to the poor children of Brazil. Pele began playing for Santos when he was just 15 years old.  He began playing in Brazil's national team at 16, and won his first World Cup at 17.  Although he was offered many offers from European clubs the soccer team Santos kept him for almost two decades until 1974. Pele retired in 1977, he is a worldwide ambassador for football and has undertaken various acting roles and commercial ventures. He is currently the Honorary President of the New York Cosmos.

google images (by Harwinderpal )

Pele was born in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He was born to Joao Ramos do Nascimento and Dona Celeste Arantes, being the oldest of two. Pele and his family lived in poverty, they lived in Bauru, Sao Paulo. To earn money he worked in tea shops.Pele's dad was the one to teach him how to play soccer. Even though they couldn't afford a soccer the often played with a sock filled with newspaper or a grapefruit. He played for many amateur teams, for instance Sete de Setembro, Canto do Rio, Sao Paulinho, and Ameriquinha. In 1956 Brito one of his previous coaches took him to try out for Santos futboll club. Brito told the trainer from Santos that Pele only being 15 years old would be ''the greatest soccer player in the world''. Pele impressed the head coach and signed a professional contract with the club June 1956.

Pele quote (google images (desafioradio.com))

Pele got to play with the Brazilian team for the world cup in 1958. He scored his first goal in the world cup against Argentina and becoming the youngest player to score in international football. June 19,1958 he became the youngest player to play in a world cup final match only being 17 years old. Pele retired in 1972 but then retired again 1977 after 2 seasons with the New York Cosmos. When Pele retired in 1977, he has been an ambassador for futbol, has participated and stared in many movies, and also came out in various commercials. He is currently the Honorary President of the New York Cosmos.In 2012, Pele was awarded an honourary degree from the University of Edinburgh. He was awarded for "significant contribution to human and environmental causes''. Along with his sporting achievements and his degree from a European university.