It is a sad day for football around the world as Brazilian legend and three times World Cup winner Pele passed away at the age of 82.
Pelé, the king of soccer who became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, and is being hailed by many as the standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021 which may have resulted in his being hospitalized for the last month with multiple complications.
His agent Joe Fraga confirmed his death.
Widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest players, Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team.
The former striker, who is the only player in history to win three World Cups, passed away at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo following a battle with cancer.
Pele, who is Brazil’s joint all-time top scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches, became an icon of the game after winning the World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old, netting twice in the final to defeat hosts Sweden.
Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, to a poor family in Sao Paulo, won 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups with Brazil.
His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionized the sport — a samba-like flair that personified his country’s elegance on the field.
He carried Brazil to soccer’s heights and became a global ambassador for his sport in a journey that began on the streets of Sao Paulo state in Brazil where he would kick a sock stuffed with newspapers or rags.
The conversation about soccer’s greatest players is not complete without the mention of Pelé alongside the late Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Various sources, counting different sets of games, peg Pelé’s total goals between 650 (league matches) and 1,281 (all senior matches, some against low-level competition.)
Tributes have been pouring in from football lovers all over the world as fans bid the football legend farewell
Rest in peace Edson Arantes do Nascimento
