Pele, the Brazilian super star who ranks among the best players in football history, was a marvel to all who knew him. He has smashed numerous records at the FIFA World Cup, and looking at the list certainly excites everyone. From 1958 through 1970, the Brazilian maestro participated in four World Cups.
He played just 14 times, yet managed to score an astounding 12 goals. Six goals were scored by Pele in four games during the 1958 World Cup. Brazil won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970 thanks to Pele’s inspiration. When the Selecao and he won the World Cup in 1958, he was only 17 years old.
Pelé had the most World Cup victories of any player with three with Brazil. In 1958, Pelé won his first World Cup in Sweden, where he had a significant impact on the competition. In his lone first-round appearance, he contributed an assist for a goal before scoring the game’s only goal against Wales in the quarterfinal. Before tallying a brace in the 5-2 triumph against the hosts, he scored a hat-trick in the semifinal victory over France.
Only one nation has won three World Cups since Pelé’s final victory, and Germany didn’t do so until the 2014 competition. He also holds the record for scoring the most goals for the Selecao at the World Cup and is the youngest player to ever win the tournament.
Pele: The record Breaker at FIFA World Cup
The record for delivering the most assists at World Cups also belongs to the Brazilian. Pele contributed 10 assists in the four tournaments in which he participated (1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970). The attacker set a World Cup record by contributing six assists in 1970, including two in the championship game. No other player had contributed six assists in a single World Cup.
Pele is also the youngest goal scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup and the record was accomplishes when he scored his first-ever goal against Wales in the quarterfinal. Brazil secured their position in the semifinals and thanks to Pele’s goal. Everyone was anticipating the celebration that would follow.
FIFA World Cup hero not taking home the Ballon d’Or
Pele recorded his first-ever hat-trick in FIFA World Cup as Brazil defeated France 5-2 in the 1958 World Cup semifinal. At the time, he was 17 years and 245 days old, making him the youngest player to ever score an international hat-trick. The shot by him is undoubtedly one of the best in the football history.
Pele also holds the record for most goals scored in a single year. Lionel Messi, who had 91 goals in 2012, was second on this list only behind Pele. These statistics amply demonstrate and explain the legendary reign he enjoyed in football, but it is with the utmost disappointment that, despite these accolades, he has never taken home the Ballon d’Or, as the award was only given to European players prior to 1995.
