Pele, the football legend from Brazil and one of the all-time great players, passed away at the age of 82.
After a battle with cancer, the former striker—the first player in history to win three World Cups—died at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo.
With 77 goals in 92 games, Pele is one of Brazil’s all-time leading scorers. He rose to fame after Brazil won the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old, defeating hosts Sweden with two goals in the final.
Pele’s official Twitter account posted the following on Thursday: “King Pelé’s journey was characterized by inspiration and love, and he passed away quietly today. Love always and forever.”
Kely Nascimento, Pele’s daughter, who has posted updates from the hospital on her father’s condition, stated on Instagram: “We owe all we have to you. You have our undying love. Peace be with you.”
The Brazilian government has proclaimed three days of national mourning for Pele.
Pele, who was raised in poverty in Sao Paulo as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, helped Brazil win the World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
The injury limited his participation in Brazil’s victory in 1962 in Chile, but eight years later, when Brazil constructed one of the greatest teams ever and won the Jules Rimet trophy in Mexico thanks to a 4-1 victory over Italy in which Pele scored the opening goal, he was named player of the tournament.
He is now one of only five players to have scored in two World Cup finals, and thanks to his heroics in 1958, he continues to hold the record for the youngest player to have scored at the competition.
The most by any player in the history of the World Cup, Pele’s combined 12 goals in 14 games and 10 assists serve as a reminder that he was much more than just a goalscorer.
But it was his incredible scoring performances that cemented his status as a club icon for Santos.
Pele finished his playing career at New York Cosmos and gave up football in 1977 after amassing 1,281 goals in 1,363 games for club and country.
Pele served as a football ambassador after retiring. The FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur was given to him in 2013 in honor of his career and accomplishments. He was included in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team, an all-time best XI, in 2020.
