Pelé, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento as his full name was, was born in 1940 and had his big international breakthrough in connection with the World Cup in Sweden in 1958.
The then 17-year-old Pelé scored twice as Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final, leading the great soccer nation to its first FIFA World Cup gold.
He was then nicknamed "O Rei" (The King, editor's note).
The striker had a fantastic career and won two more World Cup golds with Brazil, in 1962 and 1970.
In connection with the 1970 WC, which was decided in Mexico, Pelé was also awarded the Ballon d'Or as the championship's best player.
During the 1960s and 70s, he was the world's best-known soccer player.
Played in Santos for 18 years
At club level, he represented Brazilian Santos FC under 18, before ending his career with the United States and the New York Cosmos between 1975 and 1977.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, he scored a somewhat incredible 1,279 goals in 1,363 games during his long and successful career.
It has long been disputed whether it is Pelé or Maradona who is the best soccer player of all time.
After Argentina's World Cup gold this year, Lionel Messi should also be included in the discussion, but in 2000, Fifa let Pelé and Maradona share the "Best Footballer of the Century" award.
In the national team uniform, he was noted for an unparalleled 77 goals in 92 international matches.
A result that has long stood as a record in Brazil's national team, before Neymar touched the figure during the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
After the end of his career in 1977, Pelé has been a diligent ambassador for football and made countless trips around the world.