World Cup winner Pele, Brazilian football legend, dies at 82 | pellet

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Pele, the Brazilian virtuoso whose captivating skill and sportsmanship ensured he is universally regarded as one of football’s greatest players, has died at the age of 82.

Pele, who had a colon polyp removed in 2021, was returned to the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo in November amid deteriorating health. A statement issued by the hospital on Thursday confirmed the death of “our dear King of Football” at 3:27 pm local time, “due to multiple organ failure as a result of the development of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition.”

A statement from Pele’s official Instagram page added: “Inspiration and love characterize the journey of King Pele, who passed away peacefully today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped war, carried out social work around the world and spread what he believed to be the cure to all our problems.” : love. His message today is a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love forever.”

After reports of him receiving end-of-life care, Pele said he felt “strong, with a lot of hope” in a post on social media on December 3. Another statement from the hospital on December 21 stated that Pele “requires further care for renal and cardiac abnormalities” after the “development” of colon cancer. Social media posts from his daughter, Kelly Nascimento, showed that family members had gathered at the hospital to spend Christmas with him.

Brazil’s all-time top scorer won three World Cups as a player in 1958, 1962 and 1970, over a 14-year international career that included 77 goals in 92 appearances for his country. Nicknamed the “Black Pearl” and “The King”, Pele was one of only three players to score in four World Cup finals. In 1,363 matches he had scored 1,281 goals, at the time of his retirement in 1977, more than double his nearest rival.

A 1970 World Cup victory he would best celebrate, he was the centerpiece of a feint team that included Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Gerson, Tostao and Rivelino that swept through Mexico, his canary yellow number 10 jersey becoming a symbol of the sport.

He described Brazil’s winning 1970 World Soccer team as “more than just a team”, adding: “The Brazilian team that won the 1970 World Cup in this style has become a legend, a team that should be considered the best in this beautiful game.” Pele was their president and inspiration.

Pele caused problems for the English defense at the 1970 World Cup, one of three he won as a player. Photo: Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, Pele began his professional career at the age of 15 and made his international debut a year later. In 1999, he was voted player of the century in a Ballon d’Or winners’ poll and named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

At the height of his fame, Pele’s fame was such that he gained fans with popes and heads of state, and his appeal was such that when the ill-fated New York Cosmos sought a marquee name for a soccer attack on America, Pele was one of them. Few football players were recognized by the broader American public in the 1970s.

Pele previously had surgery in November 2012, undergoing a hip replacement at a time when he was struggling to cope with life on the road, and has since suffered a urinary tract infection after kidney surgery to remove stones.

Pele’s photo was taken in London in 2006. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

In recent years, Pele has reduced his personal appearances, including in February 2020 when he did not attend the unveiling of a statue of him representing the 1970 World Cup winning team due to mobility issues which led to the Brazilian using walkers and wheelchairs in public. .

Joao Saldanha, the coach who helped put together the 1970 team, once said: “Ask me who’s the best right-back in Brazil, and I’ll say Pele. Ask me who’s the best left-midfielder or midfield player, or the best striker. I always have to say Pele. If he wants To be a goalkeeper, then he will be. There is only one Pele.”

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