Pelé: three World Cups, Santos and football history
Pelé became a global star as a teenager at the 1958 World Cup.
· Updated Sep 28, 2026
Pelé became a global star as a teenager at the 1958 World Cup.
Brazilian breakthrough
Pelé became a global star as a teenager at the 1958 World Cup.
Three World Cups
He remains the only male player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times: 1958, 1962 and 1970.
1958 final
At 17, he scored twice as Brazil beat Sweden in the final.
Santos years
Pelé spent the core of his club career with Santos, helping take Brazilian club football around the world.
New York Cosmos
He later joined the Cosmos and became a major figure in the growth of football in the United States.
Historical legacy
His influence is documented across World Cup history, Brazilian football and the globalization of the sport.