Pele Biography in Hindi: Some names in sports history become bigger than their sport. They are not just players. They become an era, a symbol. This name in football is Pele. The place that belonged to Don Bradman in cricket, that of Muhammad Ali in boxing, that place in football belonged to Pele for a long time. Even today, when there is a debate as to who is the greatest footballer in history, Pele’s name comes first. But his story is not just about goals and trophies. This is the story of a boy who was born in poverty and deprivation and made himself the emperor of football.
Little ‘Deco’ of Tres Corassoes
Pelé was born on 23 October 1940. The place was Tres Corassoes, a small town in Brazil. Real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento. It is said that this name was kept in honor of scientist Thomas Edison. Later the pronunciation changed to Edson. Father Dondinho himself was a footballer. He had the talent but injuries and lack of opportunities stopped him from becoming a big name. Mother Celeste took care of the house. She wanted her son to study and live a stable life. The family was very poor and many times there was no money in the house even to buy a new ball. Little Edson and his friends would make a ball out of old clothes and socks and play with it for hours. The family members fondly called him ‘Deeko’. At the age of seven, he started helping his family by polishing shoes at the railway station.
In 1950, Brazil lost the World Cup final at home. Father Dondinho cried bitterly. Nine-year-old Pelé, wiping his father’s tears, promised that one day he would win the World Cup for Brazil.
a scout who read the future
His name started resonating in local football in his teenage years. Former player Waldemar de Brito saw him play and immediately understood that this was no ordinary kid. Brito took him to the Santos club and told the officials, this boy would one day become the greatest footballer in the world. At that time hardly anyone took this thing seriously but after a few years it was proved to be true. At the age of just fifteen, Pelé started playing professional football for Santos. Next year the call for the national team came. This was a big thing at such a young age.
1958: A seventeen-year-old boy, and the world cried
The real explosion happened in the 1958 World Cup. Pele was only seventeen years old in that tournament played in Sweden. He could not play the initial matches due to injury, but as soon as he came on the field, the world understood that football had found a new king. He scored the decisive goal against Wales, scored a hat-trick against France and scored twice in the final against Sweden.
These performances made him a world hero overnight. That seventeen year old boy crying on the field after the match is still counted among the most emotional pictures in World Cup history.
a complete artist
Pele cannot be understood through statistics alone. He was not just a striker. He was a playmaker and also a chance creator. Pele had amazing balance, he could play with both feet. The header was brilliant. The speed was such that the defenders were left behind. And the most important thing is that he was the first to read the game. It would be unfair to call him just a goal machine. He was a complete artist on the field. His popularity had increased so much that even the Brazilian government became alert. Fearing that European clubs might buy them, the President officially declared them ‘national heritage’ in 1961.
Three World Cups, one single record
After 1958, he won the World Cup in 1962 and again in 1970. Even today he is the only player to win three World Cups. This record is considered the biggest proof of his greatness. The 1970 World Cup was the pinnacle of his maturity. The Brazilian team that played in Mexico is still counted among the best teams in history.
In that team, Pele was not just a goalscorer but he was the pivot of the entire game. His header against Italy in the final and his pass that led to Carlos Alberto’s goal are among the most beautiful pieces of football art.
No-look pass and chicane
One of Pelé’s most famous skills was the no-look pass. He would send the ball in another direction while looking in one direction. Both the opponent and the goalkeeper would remain confused. The balance of the body was so good that one could pass through even the tightest places. If Maradona is called the magician of dribbling, Pele is called the epitome of perfection. He made his ‘bicycle kick’ or ‘chilena’, the art of hitting a goal in the opposite direction by jumping on the back in the air, famous all over the world.
An emperor even outside the field
Sports marketing in the 1960s and 70s was not as developed as it is today. Yet Pelé’s name was among the world’s biggest business faces. His relationship with Puma was famous. He appeared in advertisements of many brands including beverages, watches, banking etc. His career with Santos brought global recognition to the club. Later, by joining the American club New York Cosmos, he played a big role in popularizing football in America.
A surprising example of his popularity was seen in Nigeria in 1969. There was a civil war going on there. Both groups declared a 48-hour ceasefire just so they could watch Pele’s match.
Personal life, where everything was not easy
Life was not just a story of success. There were many discussions in the media regarding marriage and relationships. Many children were mentioned publicly. Some family disputes also came to light. Pelé himself admitted that amidst constant travel and fame, it was not always possible to give full time to his family.
With aging also came health problems like kidneys and hips. In the last years, public attendance dwindled. But he never lost hope. He always said, the most important thing in life is to maintain hope.
Discipline which is still an example
Pele was very disciplined in his eating habits. Used to take a balanced diet during his career. Traditional Brazilian food, fresh fruits, vegetables, limited protein, adequate water, this was his daily routine. Stayed away from alcohol and immoral lifestyle. Sports science at that time was not what it is today, yet Pele took fitness very seriously. Perhaps that is why he remained at the top for a long time.
Thousandth goal, and the stadium stands still
Pelé scored his historic 1000th goal on a penalty against Vasco da Gama at the Maracana Stadium in November 1969. The entire ground was filled with spectators and the match had to be stopped for about half an hour. His legacy is not just in these 1000-plus goals. His legacy is that he made football the language of the world. From the villages of Africa to the towns of Asia, millions of children were introduced to football for the first time through Pelé. This was the era when there was no internet, no social media. Yet his name had reached every corner of the world.
A final farewell, and a legacy that never fades
When Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, the world lost more than just a great player. Farewell to a man who gave football its most beautiful identity. Tribute meetings were held in many countries. Players, heads of state, common people, everyone remembered him.
Pele’s story teaches one thing. Greatness is not achieved by talent alone. It requires opportunity, discipline, humility, and continuous hard work. The boy who rose from poverty in Tres Corrosos to become the football emperor is still an inspiration to millions of people. Perhaps that’s why, whenever a child touches the ball for the first time, Pelé’s legacy carries with him somewhere.
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