Pele is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, with a career that spanned nearly two decades and included numerous accolades and achievements. Born in Brazil in 1940, Pele rose to fame as a young player and quickly established himself as a dominant force in the world of football. His performances for the Brazilian national team, including three World Cup victories, solidified his place in the pantheon of football greats.
However, Pele’s goal tally has been a source of controversy over the years. Some claim that he scored 1283 goals in 1366 games, while others argue that only official games should be counted, giving a tally of 757 goals in 812 games. The discrepancy in these numbers has led to debates and discussions about the true extent of Pele’s scoring prowess. In this blog, we will explore the different sources of Pele’s goals and attempt to shed light on the controversy surrounding his goal tally.
Official goals
Pele scored a total of 757 goals in 812 official games during his career. This includes 77 goals in 92 games for the Brazilian national team, a team for which he played for nearly two decades and helped lead to three World Cup victories. Pele’s goals for the national team included 12 goals in 14 games in World Cup tournaments, making him one of the highest-scoring players in the history of the tournament.
In addition to his goals for the national team, Pele also scored a significant number of goals for club teams. He played for Santos, a Brazilian club, for most of his career, scoring 643 goals in 656 games. He also played for the New York Cosmos, an American club, in the latter part of his career, scoring 31 goals in 56 games. These goals, along with those scored for the national team, make up the majority of Pele’s official goal tally.
It is worth noting that Pele’s goals for club teams and the national team were scored against a variety of opponents, including top-level clubs and national teams from around the world. This suggests that Pele was a highly skilled and effective goalscorer who was able to perform at a high level against a wide range of opponents.
Unofficial goals
In addition to his official goals, Pele also scored a significant number of goals in unofficial games during tour matches with Santos, the club for which he played for most of his career. These tour matches were often organized as part of international tours, during which Santos would travel to different countries and play a series of matches against local clubs.
The level of competition in these tour matches varied, but many of them were against top teams and featured strong lineups from both sides. Some of Pele’s opponents in these matches included top European clubs such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Manchester United. These games were highly competitive and attracted large crowds, with many people eager to see the world’s best player in action.
It is difficult to determine the exact number of goals Pele scored in these unofficial games, as records of these matches are often incomplete or unreliable. However, it is widely believed that Pele scored a significant number of goals in these matches, with some estimates putting the total at over 500 goals. While these goals are not officially recognized, they are still an important part of Pele’s career and help to illustrate his skill and dominance as a player.
Evaluation of Pele’s goal tally
Evaluating Pele’s goal tally is a complex task, as it involves considering a wide range of factors and context. One of the key issues to consider is the level of competition and the strength of the opponents against whom Pele scored his goals. While Pele scored many goals against top-level clubs and national teams, he also scored a significant number of goals in unofficial games against less experienced or weaker opponents.
It is important to consider the historical context in which Pele played, as the game and the level of competition have changed significantly over the years. In Pele’s era, top players often did not have the opportunity to play in European leagues or in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition.
As a result, Pele and other top Brazilian players had to make the most of the opportunities they had, which included tour matches and other unofficial games. To judge Pele’s goals based on present-day standards and expectations is not fair, as the game and the level of competition have changed significantly over the years
Despite the controversy surrounding Pele’s goal tally, it is clear that he was a truly great player who scored many goals against top-level competition. His skill, talent, and accomplishments should not be underestimated or dismissed simply because some of his goals were scored in unofficial games. Pele’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time is well deserved, and his goals, regardless of the exact number, are a testament to his ability and impact on the game.
Pele’s Career Goals
| Competition | Number of Goals | Number of Games |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian National Team | 77 | 92 |
| Santos | 643 | 656 |
| New York Cosmos | 31 | 56 |
| Unofficial Games (estimated) | 500+ | NA |
| TOTAL | 1251+ | 812+ |
Note: The total number of goals and games includes both official and unofficial matches. The number of goals scored in unofficial games is an estimate and the exact number is disputed.
FAQs
- How many World Cups did Pele win? Pele won a total of three World Cup titles with the Brazilian national team, in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
- What clubs did Pele play for? Pele played for a number of clubs throughout his career, but he is most closely associated with Santos, a Brazilian club for which he played for most of his career. He also played for the New York Cosmos, an American club, in the latter part of his career.
- Did Pele ever play in a European league? Pele did not play in a European league during his career. He played for Brazilian clubs and the Brazilian national team for the majority of his career, and he also played for the New York Cosmos in the latter part of his career.
- How many goals did Pele score in official games? Pele scored a total of 757 goals in 812 official games during his career. This includes goals scored for the Brazilian national team, club teams, and the New York Cosmos.
- How many goals did Pele score in unofficial games? It is difficult to determine the exact number of goals Pele scored in unofficial games, such as tour matches and other non-official matches. However, it is widely believed that he scored a significant number of goals in these matches, with some estimates putting the total at over 500 goals.
- Is Pele’s goal tally widely disputed? Pele’s goal tally is a source of controversy, with some sources claiming that he scored 1283 goals in 1366 games, while others argue that only official games should be counted, giving a tally of 757 goals in 812 games. The discrepancy in these numbers has led to debates and discussions about the true extent of Pele’s scoring prowess.
Editor’s Note
Pele’s goal tally has been a source of controversy, with some claiming that he scored 1283 goals in 1366 games and others arguing that only official games should be counted, giving a tally of 757 goals in 812 games. It is important to consider the context in which these goals were scored, as the level of competition and the strength of the opponents can greatly affect the value of a goal.
Pele scored 757 goals in 812 official games, including 77 goals in 92 games for the Brazilian national team and 31 goals in 56 games for the New York Cosmos. He also scored many goals in unofficial games during tour matches with Santos, a Brazilian club for which he played for most of his career.
These tour matches were often against top teams and were highly competitive, with regular rules and strong lineups being used by both sides. The fact that Pele scored so many goals in these games, against top-level competition, suggests that he was a truly great player and that his goals should be taken seriously.
It is also important to consider the historical context in which Pele played. Football in Brazil and South America was not as developed as it is today, and top players often did not have the opportunity to play in European leagues or in the Copa Libertadores (the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League).
As a result, Pele and other top Brazilian players had to make the most of the opportunities they had, which included tour matches and other unofficial games. To judge Pele’s goals based on present-day standards and expectations is not fair, as the game and the level of competition have changed significantly over the years.
Overall, while the exact number of goals scored by Pele may be disputed, it is clear that he was a truly great player who scored many goals against top-level competition. His skill, talent, and accomplishments should not be underestimated or dismissed simply because some of his goals were scored in unofficial games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pele’s goal tally is a complex and controversial topic, with different sources giving widely varying numbers. It is important to consider the context in which these goals were scored, including the level of competition and the strength of the opponents. When viewed in this context, it is clear that Pele was a truly great player who scored many goals against top-level competition.
Despite the controversy surrounding his goal tally, Pele’s legacy as a football legend is enduring. His skill, talent, and accomplishments on the pitch have earned him a place in the pantheon of football greats, and his impact on the game is still felt today. Whether he scored 757 goals or over 1283 goals, Pele’s place in the history of football is secure and his goals will always be remembered as a testament to his greatness.
