Brazilian football legend Pelé passed away aged 82 at a hospital in São Paulo. Pelé was hospitalized on November 29 with a respiratory infection and for re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer in September 2021.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento confirmed the news on Instagram, in a post that said: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé
Pele, who is regarded as one of the all-time great players, is the only person to have won the World Cup three times, having led Brazil to victories in the 1958, 1962, and 1970 competitions. At the 1970 tournament, he also took home the Golden Ball for best player.
The then-17-year-old become the youngest player to play in a men’s World Cup, however Norman Whiteside of Northern Ireland later surpassed his record.
Although that statistic is disputed because it included unofficial friendlies and tour games, he is reported to have scored 1,283 goals in 1,363 senior matches for clubs and his country during the course of a 21-year playing career.
The fact that he guided Santos, his only significant Brazilian team, to six Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles, two Copa Libertadores victories, two Intercontinental Cups, and one Intercontinental Supercup is unquestionable. After that, he relocated to the United States to play with the New York Cosmos, where he helped them win the NASL in 1977 and was three times named to the league’s all-star squad.
Pele had recently struggled with health issues
Pele had recently struggled with health issues; after having a colon tumor removed in September 2021, he frequently visited hospitals for treatment as he fought cancer.
On November 30, it became known that he had been brought to the Albert Einstein Hospital with “general swelling” and was undergoing a number of tests to get a better idea of his medical conditions.
According to ESPN Brazil, the 82-year-old was experiencing cardiac problems, and his medical team was worried that his chemotherapy treatment was not producing the desired effects.
According to a medical report published on December 21st, Pele’s cancer has gotten worse. Once it was discovered that he needed treatment for heart and kidney problems, his daughter confirmed that the family would spend Christmas in the hospital with Pele.