The Brazilian football legend died at the Sao Paulo hospital after a prolonged tussle with cancer, according to Joe Fraga – his agent, and his family.

• Pele died at age 82

• Pele was admitted at Sao Paulo hospital and had a tumor removed from his colon

• Pele is the only footballer to have won the FIFA World Cup three times
• FIFA called him “immortal”

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The world of football has taken an emotional hit following the demise of the game’s arguably most adored icon, Pele.

The Brazilian football legend died at the Sao Paulo hospital after a prolonged tussle with cancer, according to Joe Fraga – his agent, and his family.

“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today,” read the message on his social media handle.

Who was Pele?

Pele’s real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento. 

He was born on October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil to Fluminense footballer Dondinho and Celeste Arantes.

He was the elder of two siblings. Pele was named after the American inventor Thomas Edison. However, his parents decided to remove the “i” and call him just “Edson”.

Edson would later be known mononymously as Pele during his school days because he was alleged to have mispronounced the name of his favorite player, Bilé, who played for local club Vasco da Gama, as Pelé.

Pele’s appearance at the 1958 World Cup, where he became the first black global sporting star changed global football and gave anti-racism a boost.

The rise to fame

Pelé rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and well-known athletes in modern history, dying at the age of 82. 

The former legend was hospitalized at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital. He bowed out of the world of the living at 3:27pm (18:27 GMT) on Thursday.

The iconic footballer had died as a result of multiple organ failure as a result of progression of colon cancer in connection with his previous medical condition.

3 Times World Cup Champion

Pele, three times World Cup Champion

Brazil, a football nation, is a big rival to Argentina, another football haven. Many have debated the better of the two when it came to Pele and Argentina’s late Diego Amando Maradona

Maradona and his successor, Lionel Messi, may be kings in the world of dribbling football but Pele’s success as the only man to have won the World Cup three times makes him one big juggernaut.

Football as a panacea for peace

The post on Pele’s social media page pinpointed the star’s international appeal, referring to an incident during the Nigerian civil war when opposing factions came into agreement to a ceasefire in order to watch Pele’s football match in the country.

“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,” read the message.

Footballers’ and people’s reaction to his death

Neymar

He turned football into art, into entertainment. Gave voice to te poor, blacks and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil.

Brazilian Ronaldo

Unique. Cool. Technical. Creative. Perfect. One of a kind. Where Pele arrived, he stayed. Without ever leaving the top, he leaves us today. The king of football – only one The greatest of all time.

kylian Mbappe

The King of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.

Cristiano Ronaldo

“My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.”

Lionel Messi

Rest in peace, @ pele

Her daughter on Instagram

“We love you infinitely, rest in peace”

Brazilian government

Brazilian government has declared three days of mourning for Pele’s death. Government has hailed him as “one of the greatest”. 

FIFA

Pele is “immortal”

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