Marvel at the Brazilian master and decide for yourself if Pelé was the world’s best footballer.

Usually when fans talk about the best football player of all time, the argument is between Maradona and Pelé and comparisons made between the two.

Born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento in 1940, Pelé played in a different era to Maradona and fans of Maradona will often claim that as a reason for Maradona’s superiority- that he played in a more difficult, competitive era than Pelé.

His credentials are perhaps best illustrated by a remarkable goal return of 1281 goals in 1363 games (this record includes unofficial games, including games played for the armed forces during his national service). He won the Campeonato Paulista with Santos 10 times, the Copa Libertadores twice and was a member of 3 World Cup winning squads with Brazil.

His career started at Santos in 1956 where he played for 17 years and after a short-lasting retirement from the game he signed for New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League in 1975 where his career finished in 1977.

At the 1958 World Cup finals Pelé became the youngest ever goal scorer in a World Cup aged only 17. Remarkably he became the youngest ever scorer of a World Cup finals hat-trick in the same tournament in the semi-final against France.

Pelé may be best remembered for his performances at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico where he played in a team very many people consider to be the best football team of all time. Pelé scored the opening goal in the final and was named player of the tournament.

It might be said that a distinction can be made here with Maradona who is credited with winning titles and tournaments all on his own, whilst Pelé enjoyed the benefit of playing in very strong club and national sides including players such as Garrincha, Rivelino and Jairzinho. It is interesting to note that Brazil never lost a game when both Pelé and Garrincha played.

Pelé’s style of play was very much that of a playmaker with an all-round portfolio of skills and abilities. The videos included here will bear witness to his natural abilities and footballing technique. His dribbling skills, accompanied by his pace, made him difficult to tackle and he was equally adept at scoring with his head or powerful shot.

We will bring you the very best range of videos of Pelé for your entertainment and enjoyment and to help trigger discussion and debate about his merits as the best footballer in history.

Is he your favourite? Is it a factor that works against him that he played in an “easier” era than Maradona? To what extent do you think that playing in some very good sides helped his reputation?