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Regarded as one of the greatest footballers the world has ever produced, Pele won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He retired from football with 1279 goals in 1363 games.
Brazilian midfielder Pele (L) dribbles past Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich during the 1970 FIFA World Cup final in Mexico City. (AFP)In the modern-era where people look for overnight success, a quote by legendary Brazilian footballer Pele, “The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning” still stands tall. In reality, success lasts longer when it is achieved by overcoming challenges. Success needs time.
Not only it builds our habits, but also helps to build expertise and navigate through numerous setbacks. It also allows a person's personal growth in an invisible way and builds a long-term resilience inside.
One of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen, Pele symbolised excellence, sportsmanshit and an inspiration globally. Known as the “The King of Football”, Pele's impact went far beyond a football ground and made him one of the most influential figures of his time.
What does Pele's quote mean?
The quote “The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning” means success can be defined as success when it is earned through struggle, hard work and lot of sweat. Overnight achievements don't have a longer future and can even lead one's foot off the ground, thus bringing in short-lived happiness and joy.
How does Pele's quote matter even today?
Although Pele might have passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, but his quote still remind the current generation to stay grounded. It reminds that perseverance and effort bring fulfilment in one's life. We often face challenges in life everyday but Pele quote inspires us to navigate those and be a better and stronger human being.
Victory achieved through struggle feels more meaningful as it represents growth, resilience and determination. Pele's quote also encourages us to remain competitive in today's pressure-driven society.
Pele's career statistics
Having started his professional career at the age of 15 at Santos, Pele made his national team debut at the age of 16. During his time in international football, Pele lifted the FIFA World Cup thrice in 1958, 1962 and 1970. In fact, he was the youngest to win a football World Cup at the age of 17.
With 77 goals in 92 games, Pele held the record of Brazil's all-time top goal-scorers for over five decades until it was broken by Neymar. At the club level, Pele is Santos' all-time top goal-scorer with 643 goals in 659 games and led the club to 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores, and Intercontinental Cup. He retired from the game with 1279 goals in 1363 games.
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) voted Pele as the World Player of the Century in 2000.
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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