Brazil Football Icon Pele Dies @ 82
- Loses long battle with cancer
- Daughter Posts emotional tribute
Lauded by many as the greatest football player to ever romance the round leather game, Brazilian legend and footballing icon, Pele has died at the age of 82.
In recent years, he had been battling health issues associated with kidney and prostate problems. At the 2018 World Cup, Pele was pictured in a wheelchair being taken into hospital after collapsing due to exhaustion a month after the tournament.
Born on 23 October 1940 as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year illustrious playing career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country. The breakdown involves friendlies and tours of the world while inspiring the next generation of football with his undeniable talent and flair that was endlessly ahead of its time.
Named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000, he retired as the only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His record as Brazil’s top scorer with 77 goals from his 92 caps has only been recently equalled by Neymar who currently plies his trade
Pele had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the tumour was detected in routine tests. He was readmitted to the hospital in November 2022 but his condition failed to improve and had to remain in the Sao Paulo hospital throughout the 2022 World Cup and then for Christmas, as confirmed by his family.
Pele’s daughter, Kely Nascimento, had been providing regular social media updates on her father’s condition throughout the month with the world learning of his ill health, before his death was confirmed on December 29.
On Thursday, December 29, she posted a picture of what appeared to be Pele’s family’s hands on his body in the hospital and wrote: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Pele made his debut for Santos in 1956 in what was the start of a career that would turn the game on its head. The Brazilian forward would revolutionise football with his style of play and rampant goal-scoring over the next 21 years, forging a legacy as one of the most talented players to ever grace a pitch and bringing forward a style that nobody had ever seen before.
17-year-old Pele initially announced himself in spectacular style at the 1958 World Cup, firing Brazil to the trophy with the No.10 on his back while showing off a catalogue of skills that had never been seen before, earning the nickname O Rei (The King) for his exploits. A hat trick in the semi-final vs France was followed up by a brace in the final against Sweden, and he returned for Mexico in 1962 as undoubtedly the greatest player in the world.
At the club level, a mammoth 18-year spell with Brazilian side Santos saw Pele win six Brazilian titles and two Copa Libertadores crowns. He then spent his final two years as a player in the booming NASL with the New York Cosmos, and in the bulk of his years after retirement, he worked as an ambassador around the world.
A prolific goalscorer for Santos and the Brazilian national team, he will forever remain part of a greatest of all time conversation which has expanded to include exceptional talents such as Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
‘Rest in peace’ – Pele’s Daughter Posts Emotional Tribute
With the family confirming the Brazilian legend’s death, Pele’s daughter, Kely Nascimento, posted a touching tribute in honour of her father’s passage at age 82.
Kely made the emotional post to her followers, claiming that everything she has is thanks to him.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Pele’s family had recently gathered to be with him while receiving treatment at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he died on Thursday.
“Everything we are is thanks to you,” she wrote on Instagram. “We love you infinitely. Rest in peace 💔 💔 💔” – With agency reports
