Pelé celebrates his 70th birthday

Seventy years ago today, one of the world's greatest players, Pelé, was born in the Brazilian city of Tres Coracoes.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento hailed from humble origins but had football in the blood. He was taught to play by his father, Dondinho, who was a striker with CA Mineiro and Fluminense FC before a broken leg prematurely ended his career.

Known to his family as 'Dico', the 15-year-old gave a glimpse that he would more than make up for his father's disappointment when he scored on his debut for Santos FC. The leading scorer in the Campeonato Paulista the following year, Pelé became a global sensation by scoring six goals in Brazil's victorious 1958 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Pelé was quick, skilful and two-footed. Despite his 1.73m frame, he was also good in the air, as he demonstrated when leaping above Italy defender Tarcisio Burgnich to score a header in the 1970 World Cup final. "I told myself before the game, he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else – but I was wrong," said Burgnich.

That 4-1 win in Mexico City was the third world title for Pelé, who had been involved in Brazil's 1962 success in Chile. In that competition he set up the first and beat four players to score the second goal in the Selecão's opening game against Mexico, but an injury against Czechoslovakia in his second match ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.

Pelé might have enjoyed greater World Cup glory had he not been injured at the next edition of the tournament. Though Brazil exited early from their English adventure, they returned in style in 1970, with Pelé back to his imperious best.

The forward scored 1,087 goals in 1,120 league appearances for Santos, won the Campeonato Paulista ten times and two Copa Libertadores. He subsequently came out of retirement to sign for New York Cosmos in the fledgling North American Soccer League, helping increase public awareness of football in the United States, and guiding his side to the 1977 NASL championship in his final season with the club.

As well as being an inordinately gifted footballer, Pele's commitment to fair play only enhanced his legacy as one of the most popular and respected practitioners of the game.