Edson Arantes do Nascimento, commonly known as Pelé, is a Brazilian former professional footballer and one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil. Pelé is renowned for his exceptional skills, speed, and goal-scoring ability as a forward.
Pelé began his football career with Santos FC in Brazil at a young age and quickly rose to fame. He made his international debut for Brazil at the age of 16 and went on to represent his country in four FIFA World Cup tournaments, winning the title three times (1958, 1962, 1970). Pelé’s performance in the 1958 World Cup, where he became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final and helped Brazil win their first title, catapulted him to global stardom.
Throughout his career, Pelé scored over 1,000 professional goals and achieved numerous accolades, including multiple domestic league titles with Santos FC and international honors. He was known for his remarkable dribbling ability, accurate shooting, and athleticism on the field.
Beyond his playing career, Pelé became an ambassador for football worldwide and played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport. He later joined the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL), contributing to the growth of soccer in the United States.
Pelé’s impact on the game extends beyond his achievements on the field. He remains a revered figure in football history, celebrated for his sportsmanship, charisma, and lasting legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Throughout his life, Pelé has been honored with numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to football and humanitarian efforts.
In summary, Pelé is an iconic figure in the world of football, known for his exceptional talent, remarkable achievements, and enduring influence on the sport globally.
What is Pelé’s full name?
A) Edson Pelé dos Santos
B) Edson Arantes do Nascimento
C) Pelé da Silva Santos
D) Pelé Oliveira Lima
Correct Answer: B) Edson Arantes do Nascimento
In which year was Pelé born?
A) 1940
B) 1942
C) 1944
D) 1946
Correct Answer: B) 1940
What position did Pelé primarily play in football (soccer)?
A) Goalkeeper
B) Defender
C) Midfielder
D) Forward
Correct Answer: D) Forward
At which club did Pelé spend the majority of his club career?
A) Santos FC
B) Barcelona
C) Real Madrid
D) Juventus
Correct Answer: A) Santos FC
How many FIFA World Cup titles did Pelé win with the Brazilian national team?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Correct Answer: C) 3
Which World Cup did Pelé win at the age of 17, making him the youngest player to win a World Cup?
A) 1954
B) 1958
C) 1962
D) 1966
Correct Answer: B) 1958
What is the name of Pelé’s famous bicycle-kick goal in the 1970 World Cup?
A) “The Maracanã Miracle”
B) “The Santos Strike”
C) “The Jogo Bonito”
D) “The Perfect Pelé”
Correct Answer: D) “The Perfect Pelé”
Which famous club did Pelé briefly play for in the North American Soccer League (NASL)?
A) New York Cosmos
B) LA Galaxy
C) Chicago Fire
D) Miami Fusion
Correct Answer: A) New York Cosmos
How many total goals did Pelé score in his professional football career?
A) 800+
B) 900+
C) 1000+
D) 1100+
Correct Answer: C) 1000+
Which nickname is Pelé commonly known by?
A) “The Kaiser”
B) “The Magician”
C) “The King of Football”
D) “The Maestro”
Correct Answer: C) “The King of Football”
What is the title of Pelé’s autobiography, published in 1977?
A) “My Story”
B) “The Beautiful Game”
C) “Pelé: The Autobiography”
D) “I Am Pelé”
Correct Answer: A) “My Story”
Which country did Pelé represent in the Olympics, winning two gold medals in football?
A) Brazil
B) Argentina
C) Italy
D) Spain
Correct Answer: A) Brazil
What was the final score of Pelé’s last competitive match for the New York Cosmos in 1977?
A) 3-1
B) 2-0
C) 1-0
D) 5-3
Correct Answer: A) 3-1
Pelé was named FIFA World Player of the Century jointly with which other football legend?
A) Diego Maradona
B) Lionel Messi
C) Cristiano Ronaldo
D) Johan Cruyff
Correct Answer: A) Diego Maradona
Which major international tournament did Pelé win with Santos FC in 1962?
A) Copa Libertadores
B) FIFA Club World Cup
C) Intercontinental Cup
D) Copa do Brasil
Correct Answer: A) Copa Libertadores
What is the name of the trophy awarded to the best scorer in each season of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A?
A) Golden Boot
B) Golden Ball
C) Golden Shoe
D) Golden Cane
Correct Answer: D) Golden Cane
Which iconic football move is often associated with Pelé’s playing style?
A) Cruyff Turn
B) Rabona
C) Stepover
D) Nutmeg
Correct Answer: C) Stepover
Which prestigious award did Pelé receive from the Brazilian government in 1999 for his contributions to sport?
A) Order of the Southern Cross
B) Order of Merit
C) National Order of Honour
D) Medal of Sports Excellence
Correct Answer: A) Order of the Southern Cross
What was the name of the documentary film released about Pelé’s life and career in 2021?
A) “Pelé: A Football Legend”
B) “Pelé: The King of Football”
C) “Pelé: Birth of a Legend”
D) “Pelé: A Nation’s Hero”
Correct Answer: B) “Pelé: The King of Football”
Who coached the Brazilian national team during Pelé’s triumphant 1970 World Cup campaign?
A) Vicente Feola
B) Mário Zagallo
C) Tele Santana
D) Luiz Felipe Scolari
Correct Answer: B) Mário Zagallo
What was the nickname given to Pelé’s famous dribbling move, characterized by multiple quick touches?
A) “The Pelé Flick”
B) “The Bicycle Kick”
C) “The Ginga”
D) “The Elástico”
Correct Answer: C) “The Ginga”
Which famous Italian club did Pelé almost join in the late 1960s before ultimately staying at Santos FC?
A) Inter Milan
B) AC Milan
C) Juventus
D) AS Roma
Correct Answer: A) Inter Milan
What was the title of the 1971 film in which Pelé starred alongside Sylvester Stallone?
A) “Escape to Victory”
B) “The Game of Their Lives”
C) “Victory”
D) “Goal!”
Correct Answer: C) “Victory”
Which Brazilian city hosted the opening match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup, which Pelé later won as a player in 1958?
A) São Paulo
B) Rio de Janeiro
C) Belo Horizonte
D) Salvador
Correct Answer: B) Rio de Janeiro
What was the title of the song released in honor of Pelé’s achievements during the 1970 World Cup?
A) “Pelé’s Anthem”
B) “O Rei”
C) “The Legend of Pelé”
D) “Goal of the Century”
Correct Answer: B) “O Rei”
Which international football tournament did Pelé win with the New York Cosmos in 1977?
A) UEFA Champions League
B) FIFA Club World Cup
C) CONCACAF Champions’ Cup
D) Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup
Correct Answer: D) Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup
What was the title of Pelé’s official museum, established in his honor in Brazil?
A) Pelé Museum of Football
B) Museu do Futebol Pelé
C) Pelé’s World of Football
D) O Rei Museum
Correct Answer: B) Museu do Futebol Pelé
Which international football award did Pelé receive in 1969, becoming the first player to achieve this honor?
A) Ballon d’Or
B) FIFA World Player of the Year
C) Golden Foot
D) Puskás Award
Correct Answer: A) Ballon d’Or
What was the name of the sporting goods company that signed Pelé as its global ambassador in 1970?
A) Nike
B) Adidas
C) Puma
D) Reebok
Correct Answer: C) Puma
Which prestigious award did Pelé receive from the French government in 2013 for his contributions to sport and culture?
A) Légion d’honneur
B) Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
C) National Order of Merit
D) Order of the Southern Cross
Correct Answer: A) Légion d’honneur