Brazil football legend and three-time World Cup winner Pele, unarguably the greatest of all great footballers ever lived has died at age 82.
Pele had been treated for colon cancer, following surgery to remove a tumour in September 2021, and had required regular medical treatment.
After being admitted back into the hospital at the end of November to re-evaluate his cancer treatment, he was diagnosed with a respiratory infection before subsequently being moved to palliative care when his body became unresponsive to chemotherapy.
Pele died on Thursday at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo and his daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
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.”
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.
Portugal superstar and five-time Balon D’or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, has paid tribute to the Brazilian football legend, Pele, who died on Thursday night at the age of 82.
Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game, regularly mentioned alongside Diego Maradona and, more recently, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He remains the only player to ever win three World Cup titles following his successes with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Reacting to the death on his verified social media handles, Ronaldo said, “My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever.”
The five-time Balon D’or winner added that the love Pele showed him will be reciprocated in every moment despite his demise.
“The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers.
“Rest in peace King Pelé,” he wrote.
In a tribute to the world-acclaimed football star, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter called Pele the “greatest footballer in history” after the Brazil legend died on Thursday aged 82.
Blatter, 86, who led world football’s governing body from 1998 to 2015, said he was “immensely sad” to learn of Pele’s death.
“Very sad news: Pele has left us,” the Swiss former football administrator wrote on Twitter.
“The world mourns the greatest footballer in history and a wonderful personality. He celebrated the game like no other.
“Dear Pele, I am immensely sad and honour you and your life’s work. My sincere condolences to your family and friends.”
Pele is the only footballer in history to have won three World Cups — in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
