We are down to less than 20 days until the start of the World Cup in Brazil and continue our Top 50 World Cup moments – today number 16: Pele – The Youngest Ever World Cup Champion.
At the 1958 World Cup one Brazilian player would emerge to the international stage and forever be remembered in the history books, his name: Edson Arondes do Nascimento, better known as Pele.
His first match was Brazil's third match in the first round, where he gave an assist and the 17-year-old became the youngest ever player to play in the World Cup.
He scored his first goal in the quarter-final against Wales, the only goal of the match, while becoming the youngest goal-scorer at a World Cup.
Against France in the semi-final, Pele scored a second-half hat-trick, becoming the youngest in World Cup history to do so.
On 19 June 1958 Pele became the youngest player to play in a World Cup final and he scored another two goals as Brazil beat Sweden 5-2.
The Swedish keeper would later comment: "When Pele scored the fifth goal in that final, I have to be honest and say I felt like applauding."
On the final whistle, Pele passed out overwhelmed by the joy of winning the World Cup trophy.
He finished the tournament with six goals and was named best young player.
Did you know about the heroics of the youngest ever World Cup champion? Have your say in the comment section below.
