Brazilian Soccer legend Pele has died at age 82 following a long battle with cancer. Pele, who is regarded by many as the greatest player to ever play soccer, had been battling with issues concerning his health in recent years. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he was pictured in a wheelchair and was taken into hospital after collapsing due to exhaustion a month after the tournament.
He had undergone surgery to remove a tumor from his colon in September 2021 and had been receiving regular medical care ever since, but he had been readmitted to the hospital around the end of 2022. Pele’s health did not get any better, and, as his family acknowledged, he remained in the hospital in Sao Paulo throughout the 2022 World Cup and then for Christmas.
Before his passing was officially announced on December 29, Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento had been giving the world regular updates on her father throughout the month as news of his illness spread.
According to Goal.Com, Pele made his debut for Santos in 1956 in what was the start of a career that would turn the game on its head. The Brazilian forward would revolutionise football with his style of play and rampant goal-scoring over the next 21 years, forging a legacy as one of the most talented players to ever grace a pitch and bringing forward a style that nobody had ever seen before.
17-year-old Pele initially announced himself in spectacular style at the 1958 World Cup, firing Brazil to the trophy with the No.10 on his back while showing off a catalogue of skills that had never been seen before, earning the nickname O Rei (The King) for his exploits. A hat-trick in the semi-final vs France was followed up by a brace in the final against Sweden, and he returned for Mexico 1962 as undoubtedly the greatest player in the world.
At club level, a mammoth 18-year spell with Brazilian side Santos saw Pele win six Brazilian titles and two Copa Libertadores crowns. He then spent his final two years as a player in the booming NASL with the New York Cosmos, and in the bulk of his years after retirement he worked as an ambassador around the world.
He retired having won three World Cups – and currently remains the only player to do so – and is still Brazil’s top scorer with 77 goals from his 92 caps. Pele reportedly scored over 1200 goals throughout his illustrious playing career, including friendlies and tours of the world, while inspiring the next generation of football with his undeniable talent and flair that was endlessly ahead of its time.