Pele is arguably the best footballer of all time, and even those who don't follow the beautiful game will recognise his name.
But it turns out Brazil's World Cup hero - who passed away today aged 82 - wasn't a fan of his famous nickname at all, and always wanted to be referred to by his real name. He was so against the name that it actually caused arguments with his childhood pals during kickabouts in the school playground - but the most he protested, the firmer it stuck.
Born in October 1940, the football legend was named Edson Arantes do Nascimento after the inventor Thomas Alva Edison. According to Pele, his parents choose the name as they got electricity in their home shortly before Edison's death in 1931, however they decided to drop the 'i'.
But when he started school his friends dubbed him Pele.
There have been several differing interviews and reports about how he become Pele. In some, it's claimed he had no memory of where it came from. In others, it's suggested it was because of the way he mispronounced the name of his favourite footballer, Bilé.
But however it came about. he didn't like the nickname and his friends' determination to use it resulted in arguments on the playground.
According to the BBC, he thought it sounded like "baby talk" in Portguguese.
He opened up about his dislike for the Pele nickname in an interview with Tuttosport in 2019. He said: "I had a happy childhood. My name is Edson, then they started calling me Pele.
"I didn't like it, I started arguing with everyone. I was a Thomas Edison fan.
"What is Pele? Thomas Edison is important!"
But it was too late and the nickname had stuck, following him into his hugely successful football career. He burst onto the global scene when he was 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes.
Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
His family announced his death with a statement this evening, with his daughter writing: "We are thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
A statement on his official social media accounts read: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today.
“On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.
“His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever.”
News of his death has been met with tributes from around the world.
Argentina’s World Cup winner Lionel Messi posted a picture on Instagram of him with Pele with the message: “Rest in peace, @pele.”
Cristiano Ronaldo posted a picture of him receiving an award from Pele and wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that currently embraces the entire world of football.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever. The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
