Happy birthday to Pele, superstar with a simple philosophy

His name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento – otherwise known as Pele.

Arguably the greatest player ever, although Diego Maradona might contest that accolade; arguably the most famous and popular sportsman of all time after Muhammad Ali.

As he turns 70 today, in an era in which players routinely command 20m transfer fees and 100,000-a-week wages it makes you wonder just what Pele's talents would have been worth in the modern market place.

After becoming a first-team regular for Santos in 1956 at 16 his international reputation was established in the 1958 World Cup when as a 17-year-old he scored a hat-trick in the semi-final and two goals in the 5-2 defeat of Sweden in the final.

Pele won two more World Cup medals, in 1962 – though injury kept him out of the final – and in 1970. He won his 111th and final cap in 1971 and scored 97 goals for Brazil, though on a stricter international match definition his record reads 77 in 92 games.

He played 1,363 first class matches, scoring 1,281 goals, and added two more in special appearances.

That is a phenomenal strike rate, but bare statistics cannot do justice to a player with a serene temperament, an inventive mind, an athletic body and a reputation as a quiet, modest gentleman.

Not that he was a soft touch. During a mini-World Cup in Brazil in 1964 when Pele was being hacked mercilessly by Argentinian defenders, he laid one out on his back, nose splattered, on the edge of his own penalty area.

It is a testament to Pele's reserve and talent, however, that his skills flourished, even though he was the world's most marked player throughout his career.

He was kicked out of the World Cup in England in 1966 by a Portuguese side, not especially dirty, just frightened witless by his talents.

Pele threatened to quit the game after being carried from the Goodison Park pitch that day. Thankfully his love for football made him rethink, otherwise football lovers would not have enjoyed cherished memories of the 1970 World Cup and Pele inspiring what is generally regarded as the best side in history.

He retired at the end of the 1974 season but a lucrative contract with New York Cosmos in the United States saw him return the following year.

He pulled in crowds of 70,000 to the Giants Stadium, even though people barely knew what 'soccer' was before he arrived.

When he finally hung up his boots in 1977 the NASL effectively died.

Pele, who was born in Tres Coracoes, Brazil, on October 23, 1940, has accumulated many business interests and his career as a roving ambassador has earned him vast wealth.

Yet he has always remained humble, likeable and approachable. His philosophy has always been simple.

"Football is the ultimate in team sport," said Pele. "And no individual can win a game by himself. Pele is a famous name, but Pele made his goals because another player passed to him at the proper time.

"And Brazil won games because Pele didn't try to make the goals by himself, but passed to others when required so that the goal could be scored."