Pelé

American  

[pey-ley, pey-ley] / peɪˈleɪ, ˈpeɪ leɪ /

noun

1. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, 1940–2022, Brazilian soccer player, generally regarded as preeminent in the sport.

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Pelé British  

/ ˈpɛleɪ /

noun

1. real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento. born 1940, Brazilian footballer: scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil (1957–71) and was in the teams that won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970; awarded an honorary knighthood in 1997

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Pelé

Since then, the player for whom the World Cup was a glaring hole in a glittering career has transformed into Mr. World Cup, alongside the likes of Pelé and Diego Maradona.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Never mind that the game itself didn’t quite live up to the standards set here by Pelé, Maradona, or Mexican teams past.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

But in the streets outside the historic stadium where soccer legends Pelé in 1970 and Diego Maradona in 1986 delivered iconic plays, other voices are rising as loud as the cheers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

I would say, ‘I want Pelé to be No. 10.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2025

I was the one who wanted to marry Pelé.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat