Pelé

Record breaking international footballer, Pelé, is one of the greatest players of all time. Scoring nearly a goal per game for the duration of his career, Pelé is known for his incredible achievements both on the pitch as a player for Brazil and off the pitch as an ambassador and charity worker. After a career that saw him reach global recognition over two decades, Pelé has become a fascinating keynote and after dinner speaker, who enchants audiences with his humble stories as the world’s greatest striker. Playing the majority of his club career for Santos, which he joined aged just fifteen in 1956, and representing his country, Pelé lead his teams to major success.

From six Brazilian Serie A wins, two Intercontinental Cups and ten Campeonato Paulista wins to three FIFA World Cup wins, Pelé has been pivotal in his team’s success in all major tournaments. Throughout his illustrious career, he scored 1281 goals in 1363 games, including friendlies and unofficial matches, which is a Guinness World Record. Since retiring from the game in 1977, Pelé continues to be a key figure in sports, much to the delight of his fans. Staring in a number of documentaries, producing best- selling autobiographies and composing music for the film Pelé, has kept the talented star busy.

However, some of his most important work has come from supporting causes through his work as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations ambassador for ecology and environment and the Brazilian Extraordinary Minister for Sport. The International Peace Award was given to Pelé in 1978 in recognition for his work as well as a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1997. Pelé’s lifetime of achievement has seen him become the most decorated footballer in history winning much deserved accolades for both his footballing career and ambassadorial work.

Amongst a vast number of Player of the Year, Season and Club awards, Pelé’s most notable titles include the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. Recognised globally for his longstanding career, he has been named as the FIFA Player of the Century, and the International Football Federation World Player of the Century. Known for his abilities to strike the ball from both feet with impeccable accuracy, and improvise based on his competitor’s movements, Pelé is an undeniable football legend. The world’s most recognisable footballer is the perfect speaker to add the star factor to any event. With a lifetime of experience in professional football, campaigning for peace and media career, Pelé is a fascinating and inspiring speaker on a wealth of topics.