# Legacy of Brazilian footballer Pelé > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legacy-of-brazilian-footballer-pel > Updated: 2026-10-23T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. The career and impact of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, are marked by his historic professional milestones and global influence. His final professional match took place on October 1, 1977, at Giants Stadium in New York, where he played the first half for the New York Cosmos and the final 45 minutes for Santos FC. The match, attended by over 76,000 spectators, ended in a 2-1 victory for the Cosmos. Pelé remains the only player to win three FIFA World Cups, leading Brazil to titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player to win a World Cup at age 17, a breakout performance in Sweden where he scored crucial goals to lead Brazil to victory. Throughout his career with Santos FC, the New York Cosmos, and the Brazilian national team, he accumulated 1,283 goals and over 30 titles. He was also known by nicknames such as ‘The Black Pearl’ and ‘The Executor.’ Beyond his athletic reputation, Pelé was recognized as a humanitarian through his work with UNICEF. He passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 83. Born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, he rose from humble conditions to become a global icon and a symbol of perseverance. Discussions regarding his legacy often involve comparisons to other legends like Diego Maradona, specifically regarding Pelé’s statistical dominance in World Cup play, where he scored 12 goals in 14 matches. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Pelé: Remembering the legacy of the football King Commemorating the birth of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, the legendary Brazilian footballer and three-time World Cup winner who became a global sports icon. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pel-the-legacy-of-the-legendary-brazilian-footballer ### 2026-10-01: Pelé: 49 years since final football match Forty-nine years after his final match at Giants Stadium, the legacy of football legend Pelé is commemorated, marking his 1977 retirement match between the New York Cosmos and Santos FC. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pel-49-years-since-final-football-match --- Cite as: Legacy of Brazilian footballer Pelé. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legacy-of-brazilian-footballer-pel