Best All-Time Soccer Player

Edison Arantes do Nascimento (born 23 October 1940), best known by his nickname Pele is in my opinion the greatest soccer player (known in most of the world as "footballer") ever to set foot on a blade of grass. Not only was he a great player, for club and country, he is still a great ambassador for soccer/football and his country Brazil -- even after his retirement.

Pele was part of the Brazil world cup winning team in 1958, scoring two goals in the final as Brazil beat Sweden 5–2 at the tender age of 17. In 1962 Brazil won the FIFA World Cup for the second time, retaining the cup with a 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia in the final. Pele was injured in an earlier match, he couldn't play in any more games. Even though he was only 21 years old and gutted not being able to play, Pele showed maturity beyond his years and was vital cog behind the scenes for Brazils World cup win.

In the 1970 world cup, Brazil played Italy in the final, giving Pele, at the time a chance to win an unpresidented third world cup championship medal. Pelé scored the opening goal with a header and then had assists on Jairzinho's and Carlos Alberto's two goals, the latter one, quite correctly been voted the greatest world cup goal ever. Brazil went on to win the match 4–1, giving them their third world cup and enabling them to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy for all time.

Pelé's last international match was on 18 July 1971 against Yugoslavia in Rio de Janeiro bringing to an end probably the top international soccer career in history. With Pelé on the field, the Brazilian team's record was 67 wins, 14 draws, and 11 losses. Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Pelé and Garrincha.

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On 19 November 1969, in a match against Vasco da Gama, Pelé scored a penalty kick to give him his 1000th goal in all competitions, a tally which is never likely to be equalled, or bettered in the modern game. Edison Arantes do Nascimento, we salute you, truly a justified legend in the beautiful game. Pele is the top soccer/football player ever.

Check out our article about the best all time soccer team.

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