Welcome to Brasilia Soccer...coaching the beautiful game

Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) or better known as Pelè was born on October 23rd 1940. He went on to become perhaps the best player of all time. He made his senior debut for Santos in 1956, a month before his 16th birthday and ten months later he played for Brazil against Argentina. Pelè missed the first two matches of the 1958 World Cup, before making his debut against Russia. His first World Cup goal came in the 1-0 quarter -final win over Wales and he scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against France and two more in the final over host nation Sweden. At 17, Pelé became the youngest ever winner of the World Cup. Brazil defended the title four years later in Chile, but Pelé was injured early on and missed most of the tournament. Injuries also plagued him in 1966 as Brazil were eliminated already in the first round, but in 1970 he was back on top of his game leading Brazil to a record third title. Pelé was excellent and partnered by Rivelino, Jairzinho and Tostao, Brazil formed perhaps the best team ever. Scoring goals was Pelè's trademark, but he was also a clever, quick-thinking player who could create goals for others. He scored a remarkable 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances, and various sources suggest that he netted 1281 in 1363 senior games overall. He played his final game for Santos in 1974, but was persuaded out of retirement the following year when he joined NASL club, New York Cosmos in a $4.000.000 deal. He played his last game for Cosmos in 1977 in front of 75,646 fans. Pele has achieved more than any other player in the World Cup history. Surprisingly he hasn't been top scorer in either of the four World Cups he played in, but he is on third place of the all-time top scorers table with his 12 goals. His proudest record must be the fact that he is the only player who has won three World Cups.

Garrincha (Manoel dos Santos Francisco) - was born a cripple and the operation that enabled him to walk left him with a deformed left leg, yet he went on to gain two World Cup winner's medals. Born at Pau Grande in 1933, he joined Botafogo in 1953 and made his international debut in the 1957 South American Championship, but was left out of the first two games of the 1958 World Cup. Team-mates begged manager Feola to include him and he created Brazil's first two goals in the final. "The Little Bird", who perfected the "banana" shot, was called up when the injured Pelè quit the 1962 World Cup and he helped Brazil to another final, despite being sent off in the semi-final. He had a cartilage operation in 1963 and was involved in a scandal when he left his wife and eight children to marry a local singer. He was also in dispute with the income tax authorities and with Botafogo over pay. After defeat by Hungary in the 1966 World Cup - the only time he was on a losing Brazilian side - he bowed out. Garrincha had spells with Corinthians, Flamengo, Bangu and Portuguesa Santista, then brief periods in France and Italy. He had a few games for Brazilian club, Olaria, before being forced to retire. He died in January 1983, aged 49.