The Brazilian footballing legend and widely regarded ‘Greatest Of All Time’ footballer, Pelé, has died at the age of 82.
The three-time World Cup winner, who was considered as the world’s first true football superstar, was being treated for colon cancer after having surgery to remove a tumour in September 2021.
He was admitted back into hospital at the end of November earlier this year to have an assessment on his cancer treatment, where he was then diagnosed with a respiratory infection before being moved to palliative care when his body stopped responding to chemotherapy.
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Healthcare professionals at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo were understood to have made his remaining time as comfortable as possible. His wife Marcia Aoki is believed to have remained by his side, the Mirror reports.
He passed away on Thursday. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: "Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele made his international debut at the age of 16 and announced himself to a global audience in 1958, when, still only 17, he scored six goals in four games as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. He scored twice in a 5-2 final win over Sweden in Stockholm.
He would win the World Cup on two more occasions, in 1962 and 1970, when the Selecao produced arguably the greatest final performance in the competition's history, defeating Italy 4-1 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico. Pele won the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player.
During the tournament, ex-Manchester City boss Malcolm Allison, working as a TV summariser, asked: "How do you spell Pele?" Counterpart Pat Crerand responded: "Easy: G.O.D."
His 1970 teammate Tostao remarked: "Pele was the greatest – he was simply flawless. And off the pitch he is always smiling and upbeat. You never see him bad-tempered. He loves being Pele.” Sir Bobby Charlton, part of the England side beaten 1-0 in the group stage of that tournament by Brazil, remarked later in life: “I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player.”
Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although his long-time club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
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