Brazil legend Pele is widely agreed to be one of the best footballers of all time, having excelled on the national and world stage for over a decade.
A prolific goalscorer for Santos and his national team, he remains part of a conversation which has expanded to include exceptional talents such as Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Goal takes a look at Pele's achievements, including his goals, trophies and more.
The exact number of goals Pele scored in his career is a matter of dispute and figures vary, but he is reported to have found the net over 1,000 times.
According to FIFA's official website, Pele scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, but it must be noted that this figure includes date from a significant number of unofficial matches, such as friendly tours with Santos and the New York Cosmos. Guinness World Records, meanwhile, state that Pele scored 1,289 times in 1,363 matches.
The bulk of Pele's goals were scored for Santos, where he spent the majority of his career. He scored 643 goals for Santos in 656 competitive appearances. He netted 64 strikes in 107 games for the New York Cosmos.
The Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) reported that Pele's official goal tally - based on competitive matches only - was 767 goals in 831 games, though their overall (including unofficial games) tally varies from the others too, putting the Brazilian at 1,284 strikes in 1,375 fixtures.
Pele scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances. He is the top goalscorer of all time for Brazil.
He scored his first goal for his country in 1957 in a 2-1 defeat against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro and continued to find the net regularly through the late 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s.
Of Pele's 77 goals, 12 were scored in World Cups, with his biggest tally for a single tournament being six in the successful 1958 campaign.
His last goal for Brazil came in a 1971 friendly match against Austria in Sao Paulo, which ended 1-1.
Pele played at four World Cups and was part of three winning Brazil teams in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
The striker exploded onto the scene at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, playing a pivotal role as the Selecao clinched their first ever world title.
Brazil won the World Cup again in 1962 in Chile, but Pele's influence at that tournament was unfortunately limited due to an injury sustained early in the campaign.
They could not defend their title at the 1966 World Cup as hosts England sealed glory, but reclaimed the crown in 1970, with Pele - an elder statesman among a cast of exciting stars - winning the Golden Ball.
As well as three World Cups with Brazil, Pele was highly successful with Santos during his career.
Playing in what is sometimes referred to as a Golden Generation at the club, Pele won six Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A titles and two Copas Libertadores.
Domestic glory also came in the Campeonato Paulista - Sao Paulo's state championship - with Pele collecting 10 winners medals in that competition, as well as four Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo triumphs.
Having already won the World Cup with Brazil, he became a world champion at club level as Santos defeated Benfica to win the Intercontinental Cup in 1962, repeating the feat the following year against AC Milan.
In addition to two Intercontinental Cups, Pele's Santos won the shortlived Intercontinental Supercup in 1968.
In the closing stages of his career, Pele won the North American Soccer League Atlantic Conference and the North American Soccer League Soccer Bowl - both in 1977.
Interestingly, Pele never won a Copa America (or, as it was known then, the South American Championship), with Argentina and Uruguay dominating the tournament during his playing days.
The legendary forward also never played in the Olympics
goalofcentury
0
GOAT Pele❤❤
maradona is GOAT
goalofcentury
0
KING PELE - The authentic & undisputed GOAT
the most overrated player
goalofcentury
0
best player in the world ever
the most overrated
goalofcentury
2
pele, the most overrated player
Eliminator-
0
How would you care?? So Maradona who won a trophy for Argentina was a fool? nd when he's placed ahead of Messi idiats like you says it's not proper.. i feel like giving you a thunderous slap right now in order to have sense. nonsense
@Afy pls ban @Benosky1 for abusive comments towards players & coaches
Benosky1
0
I don't care about Argentina. U said that he has won ordinary individual awards and I just wanted to let you know that the Golden Ball is not ordinary
How would you care?? So Maradona who won a trophy for Argentina was a fool? nd when he's placed ahead of Messi idiats like you says it's not proper.. i feel like giving you a thunderous slap right now in order to have sense. nonsense
MancForever
0
shut up.. how has Argentina benefited from golden ball so far??
I don't care about Argentina. U said that he has won ordinary individual awards and I just wanted to let you know that the Golden Ball is not ordinary
Benosky1
0
You are crazy if you call the WC Golden Ball ordinary
shut up.. how has Argentina benefited from golden ball so far??
Nobacdenos
0
ok messi an Cr7won alot of awards we all no that more than Pele but did they do it by them self they won it at club level with the best players in the world even with players from pele s country men but when it comes time to shine with players from their on country not the best in the world were they suppose to really show the world how grate they are and lift the most prize trophey they cant shine like a stare the only man on earth who did that did it NOT one time but three times they couldnt even do it once and i dont think they could do it in there life time or playing time of this beautiful game and show the world what makes them grate PELE did that that what made him a LEGEND CLUB and COUNTRY pele is the through GOAT
Luzklmpt
0
club football is played almost everyday of the yr and WC happens once every 4 yr yet people tell tales about Pele.yeah he was a great international player but if a footballer doesnt play at top in Europe he should not be called the greatest....
Btw did any body place a crown on cruyffs head or any other player as a matter of fact in history only King Pele was afforded that honour
Luzklmpt
0
moreover pele retired b4 the footballing revolution changed due to the arrival of Cruyff and the football we see now is model structered by him. Just to Quote wiki- "Considered to be one of the most influential figures in football history,[15][16] Cruyff's style of play and his football philosophy has influenced managers and players, including the likes of Arrigo Sacchi, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, Quique Setién, Carlo Ancelotti, Lucien Favre, Luis Enrique, Roberto Martínez, Pep Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard, Michael Laudrup, Eric Cantona, Peter Bosz, Mauricio Pochettino, Judan Ali and Xavi.[17] Ajax and Barcelona are among the clubs that have developed youth academies based on Cruyff's coaching methods.[18] His coaching philosophy helped lay the foundations for the revival of Ajax's international successes in the 1990s.[19] Spanish football's successes at both club and international level during the years 2008 to 2012 have been cited by many as evidence of Cruyff's impact on contemporary football." So man Europeam Football is and has been always the real football.Pele is the best WC player in the last century and I think thats all. Even Fernando Torres is better than Pele if he were to be played during the 2000s....
Anti Messi bro I like Messi but I’m not bias like you guys I’ve seen R9 which is n will remain to be the best I’ve seen in the last 25 years n if not for injuries no one would even mention Messi name I’ve seen R10 bro,Messi is a great club footballer no doubts but it takes more that thst to be called a Goat n that’s where the comparison stops for me
Luzklmpt
0
club football is played almost everyday of the yr and WC happens once every 4 yr yet people tell tales about Pele.yeah he was a great international player but if a footballer doesnt play at top in Europe he should not be called the greatest....
European football has been the football only interms of money again I repeat most players run there for money without south Americas player playing in Europe the football would be very boring the most skillful players come from those regions if you doubt go check the history of the world game n who are the world players of the year...as for cruyffs philosophy no ones disputing it but for all of his genius he wasn’t good enough to win major titles for Holland plus ever legend doesn’t make a great coach so what you getting @ has no merit the facts remain rather you or any other critic likes it Pele is still the king n 3 world cups under his belt that the other so called goats tried n failed ,ever team n player have they era but for you to try n deny the world of the master go chk his figures n stats he remains the most complete athlete,you talking about Torres it’s really amazing how you ppl try to discredit certain ones but I won’t knock you for your opinion
realmuller121
0
Well if you were reading South American soccer was the biggest thing then ,Santos beat the likes of benfica n Ac Milan which @ the time were big teams in Europe so I don’t get your logic guy🧐
But i guess you r anti-messi so you would not get it....
realmuller121
0
Well if you were reading South American soccer was the biggest thing then ,Santos beat the likes of benfica n Ac Milan which @ the time were big teams in Europe so I don’t get your logic guy🧐
moreover pele retired b4 the footballing revolution changed due to the arrival of Cruyff and the football we see now is model structered by him. Just to Quote wiki- "Considered to be one of the most influential figures in football history,[15][16] Cruyff's style of play and his football philosophy has influenced managers and players, including the likes of Arrigo Sacchi, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, Quique Setién, Carlo Ancelotti, Lucien Favre, Luis Enrique, Roberto Martínez, Pep Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard, Michael Laudrup, Eric Cantona, Peter Bosz, Mauricio Pochettino, Judan Ali and Xavi.[17] Ajax and Barcelona are among the clubs that have developed youth academies based on Cruyff's coaching methods.[18] His coaching philosophy helped lay the foundations for the revival of Ajax's international successes in the 1990s.[19] Spanish football's successes at both club and international level during the years 2008 to 2012 have been cited by many as evidence of Cruyff's impact on contemporary football." So man Europeam Football is and has been always the real football.Pele is the best WC player in the last century and I think thats all. Even Fernando Torres is better than Pele if he were to be played during the 2000s....
realmuller121
0
Well if you were reading South American soccer was the biggest thing then ,Santos beat the likes of benfica n Ac Milan which @ the time were big teams in Europe so I don’t get your logic guy🧐
madrid and barca also dominated UCL for the past decade but still EPL has been the most interesting league.Santos was a great team in SA like Boca or RP but competition was always in Europe...
Luzklmpt
0
club football is played almost everyday of the yr and WC happens once every 4 yr yet people tell tales about Pele.yeah he was a great international player but if a footballer doesnt play at top in Europe he should not be called the greatest....
Well if you were reading South American soccer was the biggest thing then ,Santos beat the likes of benfica n Ac Milan which @ the time were big teams in Europe so I don’t get your logic guy🧐
Ziaikmsuz
0
Pele.. King
realmuller121
1
club football is played almost everyday of the yr and WC happens once every 4 yr yet people tell tales about Pele.yeah he was a great international player but if a footballer doesnt play at top in Europe he should not be called the greatest....
offero beef
0
Reasons why Messi is GOAT. (1) Most Assist in Football history (306) Assists (2) Best Playmaker ever (4x IFFHS World's Best Playmaker) (3) Most chances created in football history (opta stat proves it) (4) Most individual awards in football history (5) All Time talented footballer ever (6) All Time dribbler (7) Most Ballon dor in football history 6x (8) Only player to win Best player in single he has participated (9) Argentina all time topscorer (10) Messi has total Career Trophies than Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona (11) Messi is only Player to score 91 goals calendar it plenty but due to time let me paused here.
lol bro no need 4 that, we know you are omitting records where he failed badly I see no ucl or international records here
Athuljr
0
Who's goat according to you just tell? Who do you wanna name? Messi?? R9?? Maradona?? Pele?? Zidane??? In that cae josef bican Is far better players than anyone ever graced pitch as he's scored fucking 805 goals in 530 official matches. What will be your next ex cuse to prove your idol goat?
you have to score , assist literally should be capable of doing everything on the pitch , playing in every position on the pitch and having good vision , dribbling skills , playmaking to be considered as GOAT ! just scoring more goals doesnt make you GOAT
Kaoalmny
1
KING PELE - The authentic & undisputed GOAT
Toddeilmnr
0
goal per minute ratio should be considered ! if you play 5000 games and scoring 1000 goals doesnt make you GOAT
Who's goat according to you just tell? Who do you wanna name? Messi?? R9?? Maradona?? Pele?? Zidane??? In that cae josef bican Is far better players than anyone ever graced pitch as he's scored fucking 805 goals in 530 official matches. What will be your next ex cuse to prove your idol goat?
Athuljr
0
It's one thing say that cr7 has played more matches but there's also another fact that to play 1036 matches isnot a joke, you require so much strength, stamina and luck also dedication and still shine! I think both Messi and ronaldo will be top 2 at the end of their careers!
goal per minute ratio should be considered ! if you play 5000 games and scoring 1000 goals doesnt make you GOAT
Toddeilmnr
0
check the number of games too
It's one thing say that cr7 has played more matches but there's also another fact that to play 1036 matches isnot a joke, you require so much strength, stamina and luck also dedication and still shine! I think both Messi and ronaldo will be top 2 at the end of their careers!
Toddeilmnr
0
Pele 767 official goals in 831 games Ronaldo about 723 goals in 1001 games . 44 more goals #Challenge_accepted
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Toddeilmnr
0
Pele 767 official goals in 831 games Ronaldo about 723 goals in 1001 games . 44 more goals #Challenge_accepted
[image]
It's 743 goals to 767!
Messidolboyeb
0
Reasons why Messi is GOAT. (1) Most Assist in Football history (306) Assists (2) Best Playmaker ever (4x IFFHS World's Best Playmaker) (3) Most chances created in football history (opta stat proves it) (4) Most individual awards in football history (5) All Time talented footballer ever (6) All Time dribbler (7) Most Ballon dor in football history 6x (8) Only player to win Best player in single he has participated (9) Argentina all time topscorer (10) Messi has total Career Trophies than Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona (11) Messi is only Player to score 91 goals calendar it plenty but due to time let me paused here.
A World Cup flop is always a flop and will never be in the same row with Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo or Zidane!!!
Messidolboyeb
0
My son scored 140 goals last season, did any of you know that .....Now we can say he’s the goat . Pele scored 767 and your record will be broken and your generation will be dead or is dead already, records are meant to be broken. You won three World Cup back in the beginning of football you will never been able to do that now days. Plus you never left Brazil football was born in Europe and will die in Europe.
Pele kicked her European team almost in 4 World cups and u say something?😂😂😂
Messidolboyeb
2
The king!!! World Cup flops like messi and Cristina will always be 10 steps behind the greatest ever!!! Only Ronaldo Nazario and Maradona came close to the legend!!!
Faneios
0
I don't really get it when a player who have won 3 world cup titles is being compared to others. Football is a generation and I believe in the next 30yrs generation, they ll say their players are better than Pele, Messi and Ronaldo because they never watched them play. That's what's happening with Pele. He is the GOAT but he's been underrated because majority of this generation never watched him play.
he won because that Brazil was ultimate team
Faneios
1
Pele 767 official goals in 831 games Ronaldo about 723 goals in 1001 games . 44 more goals #Challenge_accepted
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I am messi fan but you should also check rules at both 's era.i mean the offside rule
Athuljr
0
He was never named the best player or higest goalscorer in each of the world cup and completely missed one due to injury... anyone can be part of a winning team, i mean, Lucas Vazquez has won 3 UCL, does that make him a better individual player than Ronaldo Nazario?... Pele was a franchise player, playing in multiple friendlies all over the world when TV wasn't popular, reinforcing the belief that Brazilians are created to play football, he's part of the reasons Brazilians are overrated till this day... anyway, Berlusconi, Wenger, Cruyff watched him play and said Messi is a better player than he was... Ancelotti said Ronaldo is better, we heard the opinions of the older generation too
who won the worldcup goldenball in 1970 ?
Athuljr
1
Pele 767 official goals in 831 games Ronaldo about 723 goals in 1001 games . 44 more goals #Challenge_accepted
[image]
check the number of games too
Tataiostz
1
Reasons why Messi is GOAT. (1) Most Assist in Football history (306) Assists (2) Best Playmaker ever (4x IFFHS World's Best Playmaker) (3) Most chances created in football history (opta stat proves it) (4) Most individual awards in football history (5) All Time talented footballer ever (6) All Time dribbler (7) Most Ballon dor in football history 6x (8) Only player to win Best player in single he has participated (9) Argentina all time topscorer (10) Messi has total Career Trophies than Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona (11) Messi is only Player to score 91 goals calendar it plenty but due to time let me paused here.
Don't be jealous. Messi will never be as good as Pele. He has already overtaken Pele in games but still trying to catch up on goals. When he finally scores as many goals as Pele, he will still not be as great.
Tataiostz
1
My son scored 140 goals last season, did any of you know that .....Now we can say he’s the goat . Pele scored 767 and your record will be broken and your generation will be dead or is dead already, records are meant to be broken. You won three World Cup back in the beginning of football you will never been able to do that now days. Plus you never left Brazil football was born in Europe and will die in Europe.
You are just a jealous hater. STFU.
Dreydarl
0
Stupidity is so common in your life
What was that for?
buhaciortz
2
GOAT Pele❤❤
sehajbains_02
2
Pele 767 official goals in 831 games Ronaldo about 723 goals in 1001 games . 44 more goals #Challenge_accepted
MancForever
0
How has winning an ordinary individual award helped Argentina so far? do you even have sense?
You are crazy if you call the WC Golden Ball ordinary
FkyouAllfutball
4
No one remember pele.
FaithEvans
0
I don't really get it when a player who have won 3 world cup titles is being compared to others. Football is a generation and I believe in the next 30yrs generation, they ll say their players are better than Pele, Messi and Ronaldo because they never watched them play. That's what's happening with Pele. He is the GOAT but he's been underrated because majority of this generation never watched him play.
He was never named the best player or higest goalscorer in each of the world cup and completely missed one due to injury... anyone can be part of a winning team, i mean, Lucas Vazquez has won 3 UCL, does that make him a better individual player than Ronaldo Nazario?... Pele was a franchise player, playing in multiple friendlies all over the world when TV wasn't popular, reinforcing the belief that Brazilians are created to play football, he's part of the reasons Brazilians are overrated till this day... anyway, Berlusconi, Wenger, Cruyff watched him play and said Messi is a better player than he was... Ancelotti said Ronaldo is better, we heard the opinions of the older generation too
tozeimptu
1
My son scored 140 goals last season, did any of you know that .....Now we can say he’s the goat . Pele scored 767 and your record will be broken and your generation will be dead or is dead already, records are meant to be broken. You won three World Cup back in the beginning of football you will never been able to do that now days. Plus you never left Brazil football was born in Europe and will die in Europe.
yoacdmns
4
I don't really get it when a player who have won 3 world cup titles is being compared to others. Football is a generation and I believe in the next 30yrs generation, they ll say their players are better than Pele, Messi and Ronaldo because they never watched them play. That's what's happening with Pele. He is the GOAT but he's been underrated because majority of this generation never watched him play.
Benosky1
0
Ronaldo has not won an international awards either as a best player of golden boots...Messi has won couple of it on World cup and Copa America... you may win the trophy but you may not be the best player.... as an individual Messi has the greatest record of a footballer for all time...than even Pele, maradona and Ronaldo
How has winning an ordinary individual award helped Argentina so far? do you even have sense?
Benosky1
0
Reasons why Messi is GOAT. (1) Most Assist in Football history (306) Assists (2) Best Playmaker ever (4x IFFHS World's Best Playmaker) (3) Most chances created in football history (opta stat proves it) (4) Most individual awards in football history (5) All Time talented footballer ever (6) All Time dribbler (7) Most Ballon dor in football history 6x (8) Only player to win Best player in single he has participated (9) Argentina all time topscorer (10) Messi has total Career Trophies than Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona (11) Messi is only Player to score 91 goals calendar it plenty but due to time let me paused here.
Stupidity is so common in your life
Mocabeips
3
Reasons why Messi is GOAT. (1) Most Assist in Football history (306) Assists (2) Best Playmaker ever (4x IFFHS World's Best Playmaker) (3) Most chances created in football history (opta stat proves it) (4) Most individual awards in football history (5) All Time talented footballer ever (6) All Time dribbler (7) Most Ballon dor in football history 6x (8) Only player to win Best player in single he has participated (9) Argentina all time topscorer (10) Messi has total Career Trophies than Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona (11) Messi is only Player to score 91 goals calendar it plenty but due to time let me paused here.
LeionLatti
0
and this GOÀT have score 99 in international match for his country.. people who count Pele goals are weed smokers
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Pele scored 77 goals from 92games cr7 and messi were nowhere close when they played 100 games messi especially hasn't reach 70 and he played more than 120 games.
AsapBandoh
0
The only player to be recognized as GOAT by 5 different sport organization namely Fifa,Olympic Committee,IFFHS,Conmebol & France Football's Ballon D'or
AsapBandoh
0
The Only One True Goat
haubdnsz
0
This guy will never have scored that many goals at club level in today's game.But I guess we will never know