When you hear the name Pelé, visions of samba-fueled dribbles, thunderbolt volleys, and three gleaming World Cups naturally come to mind. But behind that legend lies a mountain of silverware—many cups, titles, and honors both on club and international stages. So, how many trophies has Pelé truly lifted in his career? In this deep dive, TigerKick takes you through the astonishing tally, reveals the nuances, and puts his haul in perspective.
The challenge of counting trophies
Before we start stacking up numbers, it’s vital to understand that not all “trophies” are created equal. Does one count only major competitions, or also regional/state tournaments? What about minor cups or international friendlies? Scholars and statisticians differ. But to answer the question in a way that resonates with fans, we break down Pelé’s trophy collection by level: international, club, and unofficial honors.
Many credible sources agree that Pelé’s official major trophies number in the dozens, while if you include state and minor cups, the total can easily cross into the hundreds.
International honors: Brazil and national team trophies
With Brazil, Pelé’s legacy is unmatched. He remains the only player in history to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970).
But beyond the World Cup, his Brazil honors also include secondary regional tournaments:
- Taça do Atlântico
- Roca Cup
- Taça Oswaldo Cruz
- Copa Bernardo O’Higgins
One source states that in his senior international career, Pelé won 10 trophies for Brazil (which includes both major and lesser tournaments) though only three are “major” by global standards.
So, in Brazil colors:
- 3 × FIFA World Cup
- Several regional cups (Roca, Oswaldo Cruz, etc.)
- Other friendly or invitational honors
These help to push the international trophy count beyond just the three World Cups.
Club trophies: Santos & New York Cosmos
Santos FC (1956–1974)
This is where most of Pelé’s silverware was amassed. His time at Santos was a golden era for the club. Among his many trophies with Santos:
- Campeonato Paulista (state championship) — often cited as 10 titles
- Brazilian national championships / Taça Brasil / Campeonato Brasileiro — multiple editions (6 titles cited in some sources)
- Copa Libertadores — 2 victories (1962, 1963)
- Intercontinental Cup — 2 wins (1962, 1963)
- Torneio Rio-São Paulo — several wins
- Other regional cups and state tournaments
One source claims Pelé won 21 trophies with Santos (including state and regional tournaments).
New York Cosmos (1975–1977)
At the tail end of his career, Pelé played for the New York Cosmos in the U.S. He picked up:
- NASL Soccer Bowl / North American Soccer League title in 1977
So that adds at least one trophy in a new league, rounding off his club honors.
Tallying it up: how many trophies has Pelé
Putting together the international and club piles, and accounting for regional/state trophies, one plausible total is:
| Category | Estimated trophies |
| Brazil / international honors | ~10 (including 3 major) |
| Santos (major + state/regional) | ~20+ |
| New York Cosmos | 1 |
That leads to a cumulative total in the 30–40 official trophies range (when counting both major and recognized state/regional titles).
However, if one counts every minor trophy, friendly cups, testimonial matches, and state tournaments, some have counted over 100 trophies in Pelé’s lifetime trophy cabinet (though such an inflated number mixes levels of prestige).
Thus, a conservative yet fan-friendly answer:
Pelé has won roughly 35 official trophies in his career (combining club and international), with many more minor and regional honors if you widen the scope.
Highlights and curiosities in his trophy haul
- Only footballer to win three World Cups
- Multiple state (São Paulo) titles fuel much of his trophy count
- At Santos, his dominance made the club a global attraction
- The New York Cosmos stint added an international flavor to his resume
- Some state tournaments from his era carried almost the prestige of national cups
Why the uncertainty?
- Different sources count state and regional trophies differently
- Some tournaments in Pelé’s era are poorly documented
- Friendly cups and invitational tournaments blur the lines
- Lists sometimes double-count or omit certain less prestigious cups
Comparison: Pelé vs modern legends
To see how astonishing Pelé’s haul is, compare:
- Many modern greats win a handful of league titles, Champions Leagues, and international trophies
- Very few get to carry the combined weight of state, national, continental, and world trophies
- Pelé’s era allowed for many overlapping competitions (state + national + continental)
Final Thoughts
How many trophies has Pelé won? The safest claim is that he collected around 35 official trophies, with a legendary bounty of state, regional, and invitational honors swelling that number. His unique collection spans local championships in Brazil, continental conquests, and three crowning World Cups.
If you’re curious to see a full breakdown of each trophy by year and competition, TigerKick can compile that too—just say the word.
