Soccer: ~*~*~Three of The Worlds Most Famous Soccer Players~*~*~

Soccer is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in the world. Soccer has produced some of the greatest and most well known athletes. Below are three of the worlds most famous soccer players.

1)Pele (Brazilian soccer player)

* Full name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento
* Birthplace: 1940 in Brazil
* Began playing: 5 years old
* Main position in soccer: inside left forward
* Achievement:
a) The Brazilian national team, earned the title of

national champions
in 1958, 1962, and 1970.

b) He scored about one goal per game, on average in international
matches.
c) In his entire career he scored 1,281 goals and was known for his
amazing ball control and great tactical ability.
* During retirement: - In 1971 he retired from the Brazilian national team but
continued to play with Santos.

- In 1974 he retired from Santos team and played in the U.S.
with the New York Cosmos (1975-1977).
* After retirement: became Brazil's ministers of sports in 1995 and stayed with this
job for four years until leaving the post in 1999.

"Pele, Brazilian." Bartleby.com. 2001-07
<http://www.bartleby.com/65/pe/Pele2.html>
"Pele." msn encarta.
<http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761570497/pelÃ©.html>
"Pele." Expert Football.com.
<http://expertfootball.com/players/pele/>
"Pele Images." Google.com.
<http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=pele+soccer+player&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title>

2) Mia Hamm
- Full name: Mariel Margret Hamm( the famous women soccer player in U.S.)

- Birthplace: 1972 in Selma, Alabama
- Began playing: 15 years old (a youngest woman and to be a member of the U.S. National Team.)

- Main position in soccer: forward
- Achievement:
a) In 1996 she scored 19 goals and made 18 assists, leading her team.
b) In 1989 and 1990 Mia won gold medals in the Olympic Festivals and won silver in 1987.
c) As of 1999, she has scored in 13 different countries against 25

national teams.
d) She has scored over 110 goals in her career with the national team and has scored 18 goals in the U.S. Woman's Cup.
e) She scored 158 goals in international competition during her spectacle career.
f) In 1991 and 1999 she was instrumental in the World Cup victories and Olympic Gold Medals in 1996 and 2004.

- Others:
a) In the University of North Carolina, She was named American Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year for three years in a row.
b) She graduated with an all-time record for most conference goals 103, assists 72, and total points 278.

Resources:

"Mia Hamm." Where Soccer Legends Live. 2007 < http://www.soccerhall.org/Induction%20Weekend/2007/hamm_bio.htm>

"Mia Hamm." msn encarta. <http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_461510918/Mia_Hamm.html>

"Mia Hamm." Famous Soccer Players. <http://wp.barnhartschool.com/kedwards/famous%20soccer%20players.htm>

"Mia Hamm Images." Google.com. <http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=mia+hamm&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title>

3) Beckham(English soccer player)
+ Full name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
+ Birthplace: 2 May 1975 in Leytonstone, London
+ Began playing: 16 years old
+ Main position in soccer: midfielder
+ Achievement:
a) One of the few Beckham made 100 appearances or more in the
UEFA (United European Football Association) Champions League.
b) In 1999 Beckham’s career with Manchester reached its peak as his team won an unprecedented Treble of the Premiership(1996-2003), FA Cup(1996,1999) and the European Cup.
c) In 2000/2001, Beckham performed consistently at Manchester, winning the Premiership once more.
d) Beckham and his teammate won the Champions League in 1999, League Cup Finals in 2003 and 2004.
+ Others:
a) David's new haircuts and unverified disputes with United manager Ferguson caused far more interest to the public than his display on the field.
b) As a player, David Beckham is a wide midfielder with a predominant right foot. He's extremely precise on curving the ball with the inside of his foot.