Pele is among the all-time great footballers with Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but what World Cups did the Brazil icon play in and how many did he win?
Glory on a global stage is a feat that continues to allude Messi and Ronaldo ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Neither of the best of their generation has yet hoisted a World Cup trophy for Argentina or Portugal, with Messi coming closest with defeat in the 2014 final.
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Germany edged La Albiceleste in Brazil as Mario Gotze volleyed home the only goal in the 113th-minute of extra-time. Ronaldo’s best World Cup finish with Portugal was during the 2006 edition in Germany. The Selecao made it to the semi-finals before they lost to France.
Maradona achieved what Messi is yet to enjoy with Argentina by winning the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. It was the second of the iconic playmaker’s four finals appearances after a debut in 1982. He failed to help retain the trophy in 1990, or reclaim their crown in 1994.
Only 21 players in history have ever lifted the World Cup on multiple occasions so far. Cafu and Ronaldo were the last to earn a second winners’ medal when they helped Brazil to win the 2002 edition – their last. Both had also enjoyed global glory with the Selecao in 1994.
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The France squad that won the 2018 Russia World Cup will now hope to join Ronaldo and Cafu this year. No Bleus player has yet won two editions. So, none can strive to join Pele in the exclusive group the Brazil great occupies alone as a three-time World Cup champion.
Pele plays in first World Cup as Brazil win 1958 edition
Pele played in and won his first World Cup in 1958 at the edition hosted by Sweden, which was also the first of Brazil’s five victories. No nation has won as many as the Selecao, with Germany and Italy level in second on four. Argentina, France and Uruguay have won two.
Vicente Feola initially overlooked Pele during Brazil’s group stage matches in 1958 with the striker unseen until their third tie. He would assist Vava’s second goal to beat the USSR 2-0 in Gothenburg on his tournament debut. There was no stopping Pele after that display.
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Feola would start Pele in each knockout fixture against Wales, France and in the final with Sweden. The forward showed why he merited a place with one goal in the quarter-final, a hat-trick in the semi and two in the final to be named the first Best Young Player at just 17.
Pele remains the youngest ever winner of the Best Young Player award at a World Cup so far. He is one of just three teenagers to earn the accolade, with England ace Michael Owen at 18-years-old at France 1998 and France dynamo Kylian Mbappe at 19 at Russia 2018.
Brazil retain World Cup title in 1962 with Pele held to backup role
Brazil would win the World Cup again in 1962 in Chile, but Pele did not play in the final. He only featured twice at the tournament with appearances in the Selecao’s first two fixtures during the group stage. Aymore Moreira would leave Pele on the bench in their next ties.
Pele had started the action against both Mexico and Czechoslovakia but would not see any more game time in Chile. He also scored and assisted to help the Selecao beat El Tri 2-0 on the opening day. Czechoslovakia were able to hold Brazil to a goalless draw in game two.
Six players shared the Golden Boot for the 1962 World Cup with Garrincha, Vava, Leonel Sanchez, Florian Albert, Valentin Ivanov and Drazan Jerkovic hitting four. Brazil’s Garrincha also took the Best Player award, while Hungary’s Albert was the Best Young Player at 20.
Pele endures worst World Cup finish as Brazil fail to clear 1966 group stage
The 1966 World Cup won by England proved to be Brazil’s worst tournament in which Pele played. The Selecao could not make it out of the group stage, after Feola’s return as head coach failed to prevent Brazil losing to Hungary and Portugal after a 2-0 win over Bulgaria.
Pele broke the deadlock 15 minutes into Brazil’s win over Bulgaria for his only goal of the tournament. He also failed to provide any assists over two appearances, having sat out the Selecao’s 3-1 defeat to Hungary. Feola recalled Pele against Portugal, but Brazil lost 3-1.
Eusebio scored twice to beat Brazil on route to winning the Golden Boot award in 1966 on nine goals. West German icon Franz Beckenbauer, meanwhile, took the Best Young Player award at 20, having played every minute on route to the final at his first World Cup outing.
Brazil respond to win 1970 World Cup with Pele playing key role
Pele played in his final World Cup in 1970, as Brazil bounced back from disappointment in England to win their third title. The Mexico edition was the forward’s only tournament in which he played in all of the Selecao’s fixtures. He also played every minute for six wins.
Mario Zagallo’s Selecao side were dominant as they swept past Czechoslovakia, England and Romania in the group stage. Brazil continued their unbeaten path without any need for extra-time by beating Peru in the quarters, Uruguay in the semis and Italy in the final.
Pele scored once against Czechoslovakia and twice against Romania, while assisting one goal against Czechoslovakia and England. He continued to create in every game afterwards with assists against Peru, Uruguay and Italy. Pele also scored the opening goal in the final.
West German legend Gerd Muller would take the Golden Boot in Mexico with 10 goals – Brazil’s Jairzinho was second with seven. Peru’s 81-cap icon Teofilo Cubillas would also win the Best Young Player award at 21-years-old after scoring five at his first finals appearance.
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