In his glittering 20-year career, Pelé won three World Cups and scored over 1,000 goals.
Modern greats such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the spiritual and philosophical descendants of Pelé, who had the ever-present willingness to try the audacious, and had the raw ability to make it work. He showed the magic of flashing footwork and exquisite ball control, that technique could trump brute force, that delicate movement and inspired thought was the game's most dangerous yet picturesque weapon.
His next two World Cup campaigns were ruined by injury. Brazil managed to defend its title in 1962 despite him playing a limited role, but they were bounced out in the group stage in 1966, with Pelé again hampered by physical ailments. Despite attempts by big European clubs to sign him, Pelé spent virtually his entire career with Santos, in part because he had been listed as a"national treasure" by the nation’s politicians, meaning he could not be sold abroad.
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