Pele - The Greatest Soccer Player of All-time

Soccer is the greatest game in the history of the world, but who is the greatest soccer player of all-time?

There are a few names in the mix: Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and more.

All of these players are known for magical touches, beautiful goals, and trophies. So...who is the greatest?

Pelé.

Here's why Pele is the G.O.A.T.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known across the globe as Pelé, left home at the age of 15 to begin his professional soccer career with Santos.

The young goalscorer from Três Coraçõs wasted no time. His first professional goal hit the back of the net before he turned 16, and he went on to lead the league in goals in his first season.

Next, he was called up to the Brazilian national team.

In 1958, Pelé burst onto the world stage at the World Cup in Sweden. At just 17 years-old, he scored six goals, including two in a 5-2 victory over the hosts in the final.

This was the first of three World Cup titles for Pelé. The second and third came in 1962 and 1970.

At Mexico '70, Pelé led Brazil to glory with four goals, including one in a 4-1 victory over Italy in the final.

Four years later, Pelé retired from the beautiful game.

It didn't last long, though. In 1975, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos bringing a whirlwind of excitement and attention to soccer in America.

His final match was in 1977 - a friendly between the New York Cosmos and his former club, Santos. Pelé played for both sides.

The facts are the facts 

Pelé scored more goals and won more World Cups than any other player. Here are just a few of his accolades:

• Scored 1,281 league goals - more than any other player
• Won three World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970) - the only player ever to do so
• Voted World Player of the 20th Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics
• Voted Athlete of the 20th Century by the International Olympic Committee
• Awarded the first ever Fifa Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur

Don't take our word for it

"I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player." - Sir Bobby Charlton

"Pelé was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic." - Johan Cruyff

"Pelé is the greatest player in football history, and there will only be on Pelé." - Cristiano Ronaldo

"This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There's only one possible answer: Pelé. He's the greatest player of all-time, and by some distance I might add." - Zico

"Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries." - Andy Warhol

While the beautiful game has seen many world-class players, Pelé tops them all. Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments.