WATCH: Pelé, greatest footballer of all time

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, is a retired Brazilian footballer (that's soccer player to you Yankees), and is regarded by many experts, football critics, former players, current players and football fans as the best player of all time.

Pele scored 541 league goals, the most of all time. In total, Pele scored 1281 goals in 1363 games, for which he was listed in the Guinness World Records for most career goals scored in football. He was also the highest-paid athlete in the world during his playing days. In his native Brazil, he is a national hero for his accomplishments in football, and for his outspoken support to improve the social conditions of the poor. During his career, he became known as "The Black Pearl" (Perola Negra), "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol), "The King Pele" (O Rei Pele) or simply "The King" (O Rei). For most of today's football stars, that kind of recognition from an entire nation is quite the dream.

PELE: 20 BEST GOALS

According to his biography, Pele began playing for Santos at 15 and the Brazil national football team at 16. He won three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and is the only player ever to do so, and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil. Pele's stunning footwork and penchant for spectacular goals made him an international star, and his club team toured all over the world in order to reach the most fans.

Since his retirement in 1977, Pele has been a worldwide ambassador for football. In celebration of the world cup, watch these clips of his finest moments, including those signature game-winning goals.