"For an American soccer kid growing up in the ‘80s, Pelé transcended
the game. From the moment I first saw him standing next to Sylvester
Stallone and Michael Caine in Victory, there was only one star
for me on that screen. Pelé's exciting memoir revives all the
groundbreaking moments of the best there ever was."
—Alexi Lalas, journalist, retired professional US soccer player
The man. The legend. The autobiography.
Even people who don’t know soccer know Pelé, the universally
acknowledged best player of all time. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento,
“Pelé” was the youngest player to score a goal in and win the World Cup
at age seventeen, the only player to win the World Cup three times, and
the all-time goal scorer for Brazil. His international career helped
introduce soccer to Americans, and he popularized describing the sport
as “the beautiful game.”
But how did this man become a global icon? In Pelé: My Story,
Pelé shares in his own words the story of his incredible life and
career. Told with his characteristic charm and humility, and covering
all aspects of his playing days and his subsequent careers as
politician, international sporting ambassador, and cultural icon, this
book is the essential volume for all sports fans, and anyone who admires
true rarity of spirit.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known to the world as Pelé, won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He scored nearly 1,300 goals in his professional career and is Brazil's record goal scorer with 97 goals. He died in 2022 at age 82.