UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of Edson Arantes Do Nascimento Pelé, considered the greatest football player of all time, who died on 29 December 2022 at the age of 82.
Born in 1940 in Brazil, Pele was the main architect of three World Cup victories for Brazil and the only footballer in history to have won the title three times. Named "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, he has helped change the face of football and sport worldwide, raising awareness of its incredible potential to mobilize, unite and inspire people around the globe.
Appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1993 and UNESCO Champion for Sport in 2004, he has put his charisma and fame at the service of peace and mutual understanding, with a special focus on projects related to social cohesion and the mobilization of young people through sport, in the belief that football can help marginalized young people lead better lives.
He has travelled across the world for many events organized by UNESCO's programmes to promote education and sport as tools for peace and the fight against violence.