Who Was Pelé?

Who Was Pelé?

BIOGRAPHY & SPORTS HISTORY • PENGUIN "WHO WAS...?" SERIES

Part of Penguin’s bestselling Who Was...? series, Who Was Pelé? tells the extraordinary story of a poor boy from Brazil who rose to become widely regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time and one of the most important athletes of the twentieth century.

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the man known to the world simply as Pelé stunned Brazil when he began playing professionally for the Santos soccer club at just fifteen years old. He went on to captivate the global stage by leading the Brazilian national team to an unprecedented three World Cup championships. Beyond his legendary athletic achievements—which forever linked soccer to the phrase "The Beautiful Game"—Pelé was a powerful humanitarian figure off the pitch, using his global influence and work with organizations like UNICEF to improve the lives of children worldwide.

"The story of a poor boy from Brazil who became the greatest soccer player of all time and one of the most important athletes of the twentieth century!"

Core Biographical & Athletic Highlights:

• From Poverty to Stardom: Traces Pelé's inspiring rise from his humble beginnings in Brazil to making his professional debut at age fifteen with Santos.

• World Cup Glory: Chronicles his historic international career, highlighting how he helped secure three World Cup titles for Brazil.

• Global Humanitarian Impact: Explores his influence off the field, including his dedication to philanthropy and advocacy work with UNICEF.

Key Book Features at a Glance:

Perfect For:

• Young Athletes & Sports Fans (Ages 8–12): Independent readers fascinated by soccer, legendary athletes, and global sports history.

• Classroom & Library Collections: A fantastic biographical addition to sports, cultural studies, and biography units.

• Fans of the Who Was / Where Is Series: Readers expanding their collection of educational adventures exploring historical and sports icons.