Pelé

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Brazilian footballer and the sport's most famous player. A prolific goal scorer, he appeared in four World Cup competitions 1958–70 and led Brazil to three championships (1958, 1962, 1970).

Career highlights

International appearances (1957–71)
91 (77 goals)

World Cup
1958, 1962, 1970

Copa Libertadores
1961–62

Brazilian Cup
1961–64, 1968

World Club Championship
1962–63

Awards

FIFA Footballer of the Century
awarded in 2000

He spent most of his playing career with the Brazilian team Santos, before ending it with the New York Cosmos in the USA. In a poll conducted by the International Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997 he was voted the world's greatest footballer. Also in 1997 he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II of the UK. In 2000, he was awarded jointly with Diego Maradona the title of FIFA Footballer of the Century.

Red recalls the struggle for independence. Blue stands for the Indian Ocean. Yellow expresses hope for a bright future. Green represents agriculture and vegetation. Effective date: 12 March 1968. >>