Brazil legend Pele has passed away aged 82 following a battle with cancer.
Pele, hailed by many as the greatest football player ever, had struggled with health issues in recent years. He collapsed due to exhaustion a month after the 2018 World Cup and was photographed in a wheelchair. He was taken to the hospital.
Since undergoing surgery to remove a tumor on his colon in September 2021, he had been receiving regular medical care, but he had been readmitted to the hospital toward the end of 2022. Pele’s family confirmed that his condition did not improve and that he remained in the hospital in Sao Paulo throughout the 2022 World Cup and Christmas.
Kely Nascimento, Pele’s daughter, had been updating the world on her father’s health on a regular basis throughout the month, when his death was confirmed on December 29.
In 1956, Pele made his Santos debut, which marked the beginning of a career that would fundamentally alter the game. The Brazilian forward would upset football with his style of play and widespread objective scoring throughout the following 21 years, manufacturing a heritage as one of the most capable players to at any point effortlessness a pitch and presenting a style that no one had at any point seen.
At the 1958 World Cup, when he was just 17, Pele made his debut in spectacular fashion. He led Brazil to the trophy with the No.10 jersey on his back and displayed a plethora of skills that had never been seen before, earning him the nickname “O Rei” (The King). He returned for Mexico in 1962 as without a doubt the greatest player in the world after scoring a hat trick against France in the semi-final and a brace against Sweden in the final.
Pele won six Brazilian titles and two Copa Libertadores crowns during his enormous 18-year career with Santos in Brazil. After that, he played for the New York Cosmos for his final two seasons in the thriving NASL, and he worked as an ambassador for most of his retirement.
He retired after winning three World Cups and remains the only player to do so. In his 92 caps, he scored 77 goals, making him Brazil’s leading scorer. During his illustrious playing career, which included friendlies and international tours, Pele is said to have scored over 1200 goals. He also inspired the next generation of footballers with his undeniable talent and flair, which was always ahead of its time.
