Legendary Football player Pelé, byname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has died at the ripe old age of 82 years old, Dockaysworld reports.
Pelé’s agent Joe Fraga confirmed his death on the 29th of December 2022.
He is regarded as one of the greatest of all time to play the game. He was often called the Brazilian king of soccer. He won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century.
Pele had been suffering from colon cancer since 2021. He had been hospitalized for the last month with multiple ailments.
Pele’s tally includes: Three World Cup Titles with Brazil, and 10 league titles with Santos. 1,283 goals in 1,367 professional matches, including 77 goals for the Brazilian national team.
The player who would be dubbed “The King” was introduced to the world at 17 at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the youngest player ever at the tournament.
He was carried off the field on teammates’ shoulders after scoring two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over the host country in the final.
A statement from his family reads:
Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.
His message today becomes a legacy for future generations.
Love, love and love, forever.
Rest in peace to the Legend.