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My Life and the Beautiful Game: The Autobiography of Pele

by Pelé , Pele Fish Robert L , Robert L Fish (With) , Shep Messing (Foreword)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 4 ratings · 1 review

While kicking a ball through the dusty streets of his Brazilian hometown, young Edson Arantes do Nascimento was given the nickname Pel(r) so casually that no one remembers its meaning. Today, the name is famous worldwide as belonging to history's greatest soccer player. Here, in Pel(r)'s own words, is his incredible life story: his five goals in the last two games of the 1 ...more

ebook , 219 pages

Published by Skyhorse Publishing

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Sep 23, 2015 Eric rated it 4 of 5 stars

Pele - real name Edson Arantes de Nascimento - is believed by many millions around the world to be the greatest footballer the world has ever seen. Yet most of these football fans never saw him in action on the field of play - as he played during an era when live television, or rather even ordinary football, was hardly shown on television. History has recorded however that Pele graced four World Cup finals, and scored in all of them; more important he was a member of three World Cup winning Braz
Pele - real name Edson Arantes de Nascimento - is believed by many millions around the world to be the greatest footballer the world has ever seen. Yet most of these football fans never saw him in action on the field of play - as he played during an era when live television, or rather even ordinary football, was hardly shown on television. History has recorded however that Pele graced four World Cup finals, and scored in all of them; more important he was a member of three World Cup winning Brazilian sides (and played key roles in the 1958 and 1970 versions) This book is a "warts and all" story of the first part of the life of Pele, and his achievements in football. One says "warts and all" because the great man even records things like his first sexual experiences, visiting a prostitute etc... His agony after discovering his investments after his major playing career was over had largely "disappeared", is palpable. Pele comes across as a very jovial, sensible guy in this work; he has lots of good things to say about his fellow footballers, and apparently does not harbour grudges against even those who tried to undermine, or bring him down (for example his reaction to strong suggestions that his eyesight was poor). In the beginning, we live through the poverty of his family whilst he was very young, and later on when he starts his footballing career. His exploits at the 1958 World Cup finals when he was only 17 years old; his injury problems at the next two World Cup finals, and the apogee for him at the 1970 finals. His first marriage to "a white woman" and his views surrounding this - that in his native Brazil racial discrimination is very limited. Pele explains why after retirement from football he decided - was convinced - to go and play professional football in the American league of that time. We soak in his great achievement of scoring his 1000th goal, etc. The book is quite comprehensive with an appendix on all the goals scored by Pele during his major career. On the whole, an excellent, interesting read for lovers of football interested in the "king of football" - (and note that it was long after the career of Pele was over that world icons like Maradona and Messi emerged)
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About Pelé

Edison Arantes do Nascimento, KBE, best known by his nickname Pelé, is a Brazilian football player. He was given the title of Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. Time magazine listed Pelé as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. While his birth certificate shows his first name as Edison (after Thomas Edison), he prefers to call himself Edson, but it i Edison Arantes do Nascimento, KBE, best known by his nickname Pelé, is a Brazilian football player. He was given the title of Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. Time magazine listed Pelé as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. While his birth certificate shows his first name as Edison (after Thomas Edison), he prefers to call himself Edson, but it is as Pelé that he has become a sporting legend.

In his native Brazil, Pelé is hailed as a national hero. He is known for his accomplishments and contributions to the game of football in addition to being officially declared football ambassador of the world by FIFA and a national treasure by the Brazilian government. He is also acknowledged for his vocal support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor (when he scored his 1,000th goal he dedicated it to the poor children of Brazil). During his career, he became known as "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol), "The King Pelé" (O Rei Pelé) or simply "The King" (O Rei). He is also a member of the American National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Spotted by football star Waldemar de Brito, Pelé began playing for Santos at 15 and his national team at 16, and won his first World Cup at 17. Despite numerous offers from European clubs, the economic conditions and Brazilian football regulations at the time benefited Santos, thus enabling them to keep Pelé for almost two decades until 1974. Pelé played as an inside forward, striker, and what later became known as the playmaker position. Pelé's technique and natural athleticism have been universally praised and during his playing years he was renowned for his excellent dribbling and passing, his pace, powerful shot, exceptional heading ability, and prolific goalscoring.

He is the all-time leading scorer of the Brazil national football team and is the only footballer to be a part of three World Cup-winning teams. In 1962 he was on the Brazilian squad at the start of the World Cup but due to an injury suffered in the second match, he wasn't able to play the remainder of the tournament. In November 2007 FIFA announced that he would be awarded the 1962 medal retroactively, making him the only player in the world to have three World Cup winning medals.

Since his retirement in 1977, Pelé has been a worldwide ambassador for football and has undertaken various acting roles and commercial ventures.
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