History Daily

Pelé's 1,000th Career Goal

Nov 19, 2025
On a rainy night in 1969, Pelé reached a historic milestone by scoring his 1,000th goal. The journey to that moment began in Bauru, where his father inspired his love for soccer. Joining Santos at just 15, Pelé quickly became a sensation, but faced setbacks during the 1966 World Cup. As he approached his milestone, the tension mounted. When the moment finally came, a penalty kick secured his legacy. Pelé celebrated with joy and dedicated his achievement to impoverished Brazilian children, a reflection of his humble beginnings and enduring impact.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Rainy Night At The Maracanã

  • Pelé entered the 1969 match at Maracanã hoping to score his 1,000th career goal amid a rain-soaked field and 70,000 spectators.
  • A defender's foul led to a penalty that gave him the historic opportunity.
ANECDOTE

From Rag Balls To Santos Star

  • Pelé rose from poverty in Bauru, trained by his father Don Gino, and joined Santos at 15 after local success.
  • He quickly became a star, scoring prolifically and drawing national attention.
ANECDOTE

World Cup Pain And Public Forgiveness

  • Pelé suffered brutal marking in the 1966 World Cup, which left him injured and Brazil eliminated.
  • Despite vowing not to play again, fan adoration at home softened his resolve and preserved his legend.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app