Edson Arantes do Nascimento

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more widely admired by the world as "Peléé", was born on October 23, 1940, in a small village in Brasil called Trêês Coraççõões in the Brasilian state of Minas Gerais. He was baptized in the municipal church called Igreja da Sagrada Famíília de Jesus, Maria e Joséé. His father, Joãão Ramos do Nascimento, or Dondinho, as he was known in the soccer world, was also a professional player. He …

…Didi, Garrincha, and others. Many said Peléé would have been the best in any position he played. Peléé once insisted to the manager of Santos that he play goalkeeper. On January 19, 1964, he substituted Santos goalkeepr Gilmar, who had been ejected, in the semi-final game of the Brasil Cup. For five minutes, after scoring three goals, Peléé played with the number one jersey and made two spectacular saves that saved Santos the spot in the finals.