Pele

           Pele ( 1940-  ), Brazilian soccer player, who led Brazil to three World Cup titles and is     considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Tres Coracoes, Brazil, Pele was noted for his powerful kicking and skillful ball control and for his brilliant passing and field strategy. He joined the Santos Football ( soccer ) Club in 1956, and in 1962 he led the team to its first world club championship. Pele became the only player to go to three World Cup victories when he led the Brazilian national team to titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970. By 1970 he had scored his 1000th goal, becoming the most creative goal-scorer in history. By 1974, when he retired for the first time, Pele had scored 1200 goals in 1253 games and had become a Brazilian national hero.