Pelé made his professional debut for Santos in 1956. He played his first senior-team match for Santos FC on 7 September 1956 against Corinthians de Santo André in a friendly that Santos won 7–1.
Pelé was only 15 when he appeared for the club’s senior side. He scored during that match, beginning a Santos career that would last nearly two decades. His performances quickly convinced coach Lula and the club’s directors that the teenager belonged among the professionals.
Although 1956 was his debut year, Pelé became a regular starter during the 1957 season. At 16, he finished as the leading scorer in the Campeonato Paulista, helping establish himself as one of Brazil’s most promising young players before his international breakthrough at the 1958 World Cup.
The year 1957 is therefore an understandable mix-up: it was the season in which Pelé became a regular and top scorer, not the year he first appeared professionally. His Santos debut came several months after he signed a professional contract in June 1956.