Pele, the legendary Brazilian football player, who rose from poverty barefoot, has become one of the best-known and greatest athletes in modern history at the age of 82.
Pele passed away on Thursday at 3:27pm (18:27 GMT) at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital, where he was receiving medical care, as a result of several organ failures caused by the advancement of colon cancer linked to his previous health condition.
The death of the only man to win the World Cup three times as a player was confirmed on his Instagram account.
“The post stated that the journey of King Pele, characterized by inspiration and love, came to a peaceful end today.”
Brazilian football legend Pelé has died at age 82.
Here’s what other football legends had to say about the man who scored over 1,200 career goals ⤵️
🔗: https://t.co/DgZ7V4bRmd pic.twitter.com/KUTISLkZXu
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 29, 2022
Pele, whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was remembered for his wide-ranging accomplishments, both on and off the football field.
During the Nigerian civil war, Pele participated in a game that brought together conflicting groups who agreed to a temporary truce in order to relish the experience. The renowned athlete’s global popularity was emphasized in a commemorative post on Pele’s social media platform.
His message becomes a legacy for future generations today. He believed that the cure for all our problems is spreading love, and he worked tirelessly all over the world to carry out social works, stopping wars and enchanting the world with his genius in sports. Edson’s journey has truly captivated the world.
A public funeral will take place outside, with the center of the field serving as the location for the placement of the casket. This will occur after a procession in front of his 100-year-old mother, Celeste Arantes’ house, at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he had a long tenure playing for the Santos football club.
The general public will have the opportunity to pay their respects at that location on Monday and Tuesday of the upcoming week.
Thanks for everything. 🤍🕊️ #Pele pic.twitter.com/EItF8tGNWN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 29, 2022
‘We adore you boundlessly’
She posted a photograph on Instagram, showing her family members holding his hand as he rested in a hospital bed. Kely Nascimento, a documentary filmmaker, including his daughter, shared tributes that poured in from around the world for the late football legend.
“All that we are is because of you,” Nascimento penned. “We adore you endlessly. May you find eternal peace.”
Pele had been hospitalized with multiple ailments, including kidney and heart problems, as well as a respiratory infection. Medical reports indicated that his passing, resulting from his battle with colon cancer, was due to multiple organ failure.
He was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29. In September 2021, Pele underwent a surgical procedure to eliminate a tumor from his colon.
The healthcare experts at that place mentioned that his colorectal cancer was showing “progress” and he needed “further extensive medical care to tackle renal and cardiac insufficiency”.
Wembley has been lit up for Pele ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zvam9gmRdd
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 29, 2022
Pele, widely regarded as the most talented footballer to ever play the game, led Brazil to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970, scoring a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games.
Following Argentina’s 18th December World Cup in Qatar, Morocco’s surprising semifinalists and the rising star Mbappe Kylian were hailed for their performances, with France’s Lionel Messi being praised as the captain. The team’s trophy lifting moment was also celebrated on social media with a picture posted by Pele.
He exclaimed, “What an amazing present it was to witness this extraordinary display of the future of our sport.” “Presently, football persists in narrating its tale, as usual, in a captivating manner.”
