Three-time World Cup winner, Pele has died aged 82 following a long battle with cancer, his agent Joe Fraga and his family confirmed.
The Brazilian Football legend’s representatives announced his death on his social media: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today.”
In the post, Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was remembered for his wide-ranging accomplishments, both on the football field and off.
Also, the post highlighted the star’s international appeal, referencing an incident during the Nigerian Civil War when opposing factions agreed to a ceasefire in order to enjoy a match Pele played in the country.
The message on Pele’s social media read “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”.
It is important to note that Pele had been hospitalised since November with multiple ailments, including a respiratory infection. He was also suffering from heart and kidney problems.
It could be recalled that Pele had a tumour removed from his colon in September 2021. He was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29.
According to reports, doctors there had said his colon cancer was showing “progression” and he needed “more extensive care to treat kidney and heart failure”.
In a swift tribute, Pele’s daughter, documentary filmmaker Kely Nascimento posted a photograph to her Instagram showing family members holding his hand as he rested in a hospital bed.
“Everything we are is thanks to you,” Nascimento wrote. “We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Pelé was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled “the greatest” by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century.
Recall that in 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century.
Pele’s 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
The late icon began playing for Santos at age 15 and the Brazil national team at 16. During his international career, he won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to do so.
He was nicknamed O Rei (The King) following the 1958 tournament. Pelé is the joint-top goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games. At the club level, he is Santos’ all-time top goalscorer with 643 goals in 659 games.
In a golden era for Santos, he led the club to the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores, and to the 1962 and 1963 Intercontinental Cup. Credited with connecting the phrase “The Beautiful Game” with football, Pelé’s “electrifying play and penchant for spectacular goals” made him a star around the world, and his teams toured internationally to take full advantage of his popularity.
During his playing days, Pelé was for a period the best-paid athlete in the world. After retiring in 1977, Pelé was a worldwide ambassador for football and made many acting and commercial ventures. In 2010, he was named the honorary president of the New York Cosmos.
Averaging almost a goal per game throughout his career, Pelé was adept at striking the ball with either foot in addition to anticipating his opponents’ movements on the field.
His emergence at the 1958 World Cup, where he became the first black global sporting star, was a source of inspiration.
The Editorial Board of The Nigerian Canadian Newspaper sympathizes with the family of the late icon over this irreparable loss. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
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