Football legend Pelé has died aged 82 after a long battle with colon cancer. The Brazilian icon and the only player to win three World Cups passed away in a Sao Paulo hospital on Thursday, his agent confirmed. “The king has passed,” said Joe Fraga.
Football’s Greatest: Pelé’s Unmatched Legacy
Pelé was football royalty. He lifted the World Cup trophy for Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970 — a feat no other player has matched. Crowned FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000, he earned the nickname O Rei (The King) after dazzling the world in 1958.
Starting his career young, he joined Santos aged 15 and wore the Brazil shirt at just 16. Over his international career, he scored 77 goals in 92 appearances, making him Brazil’s joint-top scorer. At club level, Pelé netted a staggering 643 goals in 659 games for Santos.
A Golden Era of Glory
During Santos’ golden years, Pelé led the team to back-to-back Copa Libertadores titles in 1962 and 1963, plus two Intercontinental Cups. His electrifying skills and stunning goals made him a global superstar, popularising the phrase “The Beautiful Game.”
From Superstar to Global Ambassador
Once the best-paid athlete on the planet, Pelé retired in 1977 but never left the spotlight. He became football’s worldwide ambassador, dabbled in acting, and signed lucrative endorsements. In 2010, he was named honorary president of the New York Cosmos.
Final Farewell from Family
Pelé had been battling colon cancer since 2021, undergoing surgery to remove a tumour at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital. He spent the last month hospitalised with multiple health issues. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, kept fans updated with social media posts until the end.
“All that we are is thanks to you. We love you endlessly. Rest in peace,” she wrote on 1 December.
