Brazilian soccer star Pele has died aged 82, his agent has confirmed.
The former Santos FC star, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was being treated at the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital in Sao Paulo. From November 29.
A medical report just before Christmas showed he needed care. For cardiac and renal disordersBattling colon cancer since September 2021.
His daughter Kely Nascimento paid tribute to her father on Instagram: “We are grateful for you. We love you so much. Rest in peace.”
World pays tribute to football icon Pele – LIVE UPDATES
Pele – whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento – started playing for Santos at the age of 15 and for the Brazil national team a year later, bursting onto the world football scene at the age of 17 at the 1958 World Cup. .
During his international career, he won three World Cups – in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – the only player to achieve the feat.
He died of multiple organ failure as a result of his colon cancer on Thursday at 3.27pm Brazilian time, the hospital said in a statement.
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Sky’s Tom Parmenter reports on Pele’s life and career.
Pele celebrates after scoring a goal in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Gary Lineker was among those hailing Pele’s legacy following the news of his death.
He said on Twitter: “The most divine of footballers and the joy of men.
“He played a game only a select few have come close to.”
England’s World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst said Pele was “the greatest ever”.
He said: “I have many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played against).
“For me Pele is the greatest player of all time and I am proud to be on the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.”
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Pele left ‘void’
Lionel Messi, another footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, shared his simple reflection: “Rest in peace”.
Pele’s role in Brazil’s third victory in Mexico in 1970 has gone down in football folklore, as he played a key role in the game’s greatest ever international team.
In his illustrious 20-year career from 1957 to 1977, he scored 757 goals in 831 games, although Santos claims his tally was closer to 1,000.
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Pele embodied the idea of football as a beautiful game.
In Pictures: The Greatest Footballer of All Time
A post on Pele’s official Instagram account after his death said the icon “enchanted the world”.
“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who passed away peacefully today.
“On his journey, Edison enchanted the world with his genius at play, stopped a war, did social work around the world and spread what he believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.
“His message has become a legacy for generations to come today.
“Love, love and love, forever.”
Why Pele Was The Greatest Footballer Of All Time
How many hours have been spent debating, analyzing and debating who was the greatest footballer of all time?
There is no doubt that yellow tops many lists.
No other man has won three World Cups on his CV – even if he was injured and missed most of Brazil’s victory in 1962. Lionel Messi has won one World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo has more goals than Pele, Maradona was probably the better dribbler.
Then Di Stefano, Puskas, Cruyff, Bobby Charlton, George Best – the list of contenders brings back some special memories.
Fellow Brazilian Marta has a similar status in the women’s game – she is the first footballer of any gender to score in five World Cups.
Greatness isn’t just measured in game statistics, though.
Pele defined a nation and introduced Brazilian football to the world.
In 1967 he and his team were in Nigeria where the West African country’s civil war was halted for 48 hours so people could watch the great man play.
This is the mark of greatness.
It’s not just goals, but the power to change the way people feel – about themselves, their team, their country and the sport they love. The game Paley was born to play.
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