SOCCER FACTS SERIES

• Pele

Did you know that Pele helped lead Brazil to the FIFA World Cup Championship at age 17? Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is the only person to have won the World Cup three times as a player. He scored 1,281 goals in his professional career and is considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time.

• Youngest Soccer Player

Did you know that Reuben Noble-Lazarus is the youngest professional soccer player? At just 15 years and 45 days old, the Barnsley striker made his debut on September 30, 2008 against Ipswich when he came onto the field in the 84th minute. The previous record was held by Ken Roberts (Wrexham) and Albert Geldard (Bradford PA), each being 15 years and 158 days old.