Pele is held aloft by fans after Brazil won the 1970 World Cup
Pele won the World Cup three times with his country - in 1958, 1962 and 1970

Every time there is a debate about who is the greatest player of all time, one name comes to mind--Pel.

For arguably the finest ever XI, the Brazilian won three World Cup, the first at 17 and the last as the talisman.

Some of the most revered and replayed moments in football history can be traced back to him.

Many will never have had the pleasure of watching him kick a ball.

The seven best moments from the life of the Brazilian were selected by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

A hat-trick in his first World Cup

When he was just a year older, Pele was selected to represent Brazil in the World Cup in Sweden. He would be lying about his lack of experience in fashion.

His first goal of the tournament, in the quarter-final win over Wales, would be just a taste of what was to come in the semis, when he struck a second-half hat-trick.

Performing on the biggest stage

He wasn't finished in Sweden.

He scored two goals against the hosts in the final in Solna, the first a brilliant volley and the second a headed goal. His country won the World Cup for the first time.

He said in his book that he wanted to experience it again. Again.

Pele scores twice in the 1958 World Cup final

Pele from the halfway line

Efforts from the halfway line have been seen a few times in recent times, but the first one to get there was Pele.

In the 1970 World Cup group game with Czechoslovakia, he spotted goalkeeper Ivo Viktor off his line and launched an outrageous shot from inside his own half that sailed just inches away.

He admitted that the effort was all planned after the Brazil win. He regretted that he didn't save it for a better opponent.

Pele's cheeky lob from the halfway line

A stunning set-piece

The final game of the 1970 World Cup was against Romania.

The first goal of the game came from a fiercely-struck free-kick that left the poor goalkeeper speechless.

The dummy against Uruguay

In the final of the 1970 tournament, Brazil faced off against Argentina. It would be another amazing performance by the great man.

He would not score in the game but would come close thanks to a shot set up by an outrageous bit of imagination.

After being forced to shoot for the first time because of a backtracking defender, the shot rolled narrowly wide.

Pele's outrageous dummy against Uruguay

A tale of two leaps

The chance to win a third World Cup triumph was not something that the team was going to allow to happen.

The forward got the ball rolling in a one-sided final with Italy, rising higher than defender Tarcisio Burgnich to head in the opener before jumping into the arms of Jairzinho for one of the most famous celebrations of all time.

The greatest World Cup goal?

One of the best goals ever scored on the world stage was to be supplied by Pele in the 1970 final.

The final with Italy was already done and dusted at 3-1, but with perfect timing, Brazil saved their best for last - a true team goal that swept across the field, ending with Carlos Alberto lashing the ball first time into the far corner.

Pele sets up Carlos Alberto in 1970 World Cup final
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You might also like to read.

The story of the man who helped bring the beautiful game to Brazil is told by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

  • Pele and 1970: How the greatest player of all time cemented his legend
Pele celebrates