According to GOAT Rank's current data model, Pelé ranks #5 in Football with a GOAT Score of 94.2/100, behind Lionel Messi (97.0).

What is Pelé's GOAT Score?

94.2/100, calculated from the verified career record: Dominance 96 (25%), Peak 97 (20%), Longevity 90 (20%), Honours 95 (20%), Statistics 92 (15%).

Where does Pelé rank all time?

#6 of 5087 eligible athletes across all sports and #5 in Football.

Pelé vs Bobby Moore: who ranks higher?

Bobby Moore ranks higher at 94.6 versus Pelé at 94.2, a margin of 0.4 points.

Pelé — GOAT profile

Career goals

767

Career assists

229

Ballon d'Or

World Cups

Champions League titles

League titles

Goals per 90

0.8

Career assets & trophy cabinet

Major titles

League & cup titles

Individual awards

Clubs & teams

Santos FC
1956–1974 · 643 official goals
New York Cosmos
1975–1977
Brazil
1957–1971 · World Cup 1958, 1962, 1970

Total career numbers

Official appearances: 812
Official goals: 757
International goals: 77
World Cups won: 3

Category profile

Dominance: 96
Peak: 97
Longevity: 90
Honours: 95
Statistics: 92

Career timeline · Form index per season

Editorial season form index (0–100), not raw goals or points. Raw season-by-season statistics are shown only where fully verified.

Season	Form index per season	Share of career
1957	36
1958	58
1959	45
1960	47
1961	62
1962	57
1963	39
1964	60
1965	59
1966	42
1967	44
1968	59
1969	42
1970	38
1971	22
1972	17
1973	19
1974	20

Data sources

FIFA
RSSSF
CBF

Last verified: 2026-09-14

Figures come from public records and are normalised per sport. See the methodology for category weights. Method

Why Pelé ranks #5 in Football

Pelé ranks #5 in Football and #6 of 5087 across all sports. The verified GOAT Score is 94.2/100.

The verified career covers 1956–1977 and 18 documented seasons. Peak is 97/100, with Peak the strongest category at 97/100 (20% weight). Key metrics: Career goals 767, Career assists 229, World Cups 3, League titles 10.

Nearest context: ahead Bobby Moore (94.6); behind Giacinto Facchetti (94.0). Rankings update whenever verified records change.

Pelé GOAT Score explained

Dominance96/100 · weight 25%: Dominance: 96/100, based on the verified career record.
Peak97/100 · weight 20%: Peak: 97/100, based on the verified career record.
Longevity90/100 · weight 20%: Longevity: 90/100, based on the verified career record.
Honours95/100 · weight 20%: Honours: 95/100, based on the verified career record.
Statistics92/100 · weight 15%: Statistics: 92/100, based on the verified career record.

Top Pelé comparisons

Pelé vs Moore Pelé vs Facchetti Pelé vs Marta Pelé vs Suárez Miramontes

Pelé — frequently asked

Is Pelé the GOAT?: According to GOAT Rank's current data model, Pelé ranks #5 in Football with a GOAT Score of 94.2/100, behind Lionel Messi (97.0).
What is Pelé's GOAT Score?: 94.2/100, calculated from the verified career record: Dominance 96 (25%), Peak 97 (20%), Longevity 90 (20%), Honours 95 (20%), Statistics 92 (15%).
Where does Pelé rank all time?: #6 of 5087 eligible athletes across all sports and #5 in Football.
Pelé vs Bobby Moore: who ranks higher?: Bobby Moore ranks higher at 94.6 versus Pelé at 94.2, a margin of 0.4 points.

Compare with Messi

Pelé