Pele was regrettably ineligible for the Ballon d’Or throughout his career.
If players from outside European competitions had been allowed to compete for this prestigious individual accolade, the Brazilian icon would have likely won it numerous times, challenging Lionel Messi’s record of eight victories.
Among the incredibly gifted athletes that South America has produced, Pele is regarded as the greatest.
He made history by scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup semi-final at the tender age of 17 and went on to secure the trophy three times, earning adoration from football fans worldwide.
He remains a prominent figure in discussions about the greatest players to ever play the game, alongside legends such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Being mentioned in such esteemed company, Pele undoubtedly understands what it takes to achieve the highest level of success in football.