Pelé is a name that is synonymous with football greatness. Throughout his career, the Brazilian football legend cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time with a long list of impressive accomplishments and records.
Pelé began his professional football career at just 15 years old, and it wasn't long before he was making a name for himself as a goal-scoring machine.
In 1958, he scored an incredible 126 goals in a single season, a record that still stands today. The following year, he scored 107 goals in a single calendar year, another record that remains unbroken.
But Pelé's goal-scoring prowess didn't end there. He finished his career with a staggering 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, making him the all-time leading scorer in professional football.
His goal-scoring records extend beyond just his club career as well. Pelé scored a total of 12 goals in four World Cup tournaments, including a record-breaking four goals in a single match against Sweden in the 1958 World Cup.
He also scored six goals in the 1958 World Cup, a record for the most goals scored in a single tournament.
Pelé's impressive list of records doesn't stop there. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a single Copa America tournament, with nine goals in the 1959 edition.
He scored four goals in a single Copa America match against Paraguay in the same year, another record that still stands today.
Pelé's impressive performances in international tournaments extended to the Olympic Games as well. He scored a total of six goals in the 1964 Olympic Games, helping Brazil to win the gold medal.
Pelé's club career was just as impressive as his international career. He helped lead Santos FC to victory in the 1962 and 1963 Club World Cup tournaments, scoring a total of six goals in both tournaments.
He also scored three goals in a single match against Benfica in the 1962 Club World Cup, setting a record for most goals scored in a single Club World Cup match.
It's no surprise that Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. His impressive list of records and accomplishments speak for themselves, and his place in football history is cemented forever.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
