Little and Big Pele

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé (1940-2022), was born in Tres Coraçoes, northwest of Rio de Janeiro. Without money to buy a football, he had to make one himself from a sock stuffed with newspapers. His father, who was a professional footballer, taught him to play football and he saved up to buy his first ball by working in local tea shops. When, at the age of sixteen, he was the top scorer in the Brazilian football league, the Brazilian president declared him a “national treasure”. He went on to score more than a thousand goals in his career as a professional footballer and, thanks to his talent, the Brazilian national team won three World Cups. He is considered one of the most iconic footballers in history.