Legend forever: Brazilian footballer, Pele died at 82; Neymar said, ‘turned football into art’

Brazil’s great footballer, Pele, who gave the country a record three World Cups, died at the age of 82. Pele’s daughter informed about her father’s death by sharing an Instagram post. Pele was fighting for life in the hospital for the past few years and breathed his last today. The great footballer Pele had colon cancer. The medical centre where he had been hospitalised for the last month said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of cancer.

A funeral is planned for Monday and Tuesday, in which his casket will be carried through the streets of the coastal city of Santos, where his storied career began, before being burial.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento

known mononymously as Pelé

Born: 23 October 1940, Três Corações, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Died: 29 December 2022, Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Spouse: Marcia Aoki (m. 2016), Assíria Nascimento (m. 1994–2008), Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (m. 1966–1982)
Children: Edinho, Sandra Regina Arantes do Nascimento, MORE
Full name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Number: 10 (New York Cosmos / Forward), 10 (Santos FC / Forward)
Height: 1.73 m

Brazilian star player Neymar wrote, ‘Before Pele, football was just a game. Pele has changed everything. He turned football into art and entertainment. He gave voice to the poor. Serve as a role model for black people. Especially he gave visibility to Brazil. Thanks to him. He is gone, but his magic still remains.’

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have also expressed grief over the death of world’s best footballer Pele.

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

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A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

There are some unique records associated with Pele’s name. He scored 1279 goals in his career and was successful in winning 3 FIFA World Cups. Apart from this, Pele won 6 Brazilian league titles and won the Copa Libertadores title twice.

Pele: records, titles, individual trophies

Three World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962, and 1970).
10x Campeonato Paulista winner with Santos (1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1973).
Six-time Brasileiro Serie A champion with Santos (1961, 1962, 1964, 1964, 1964, 1965, and 1968).
Four-time Torneio Rio-Sao winner with Santos (1959, 1963, 1964, and 1966).
Two-time Copa Libertadores winner with Santos (1962 and 1963).
Two-time Intercontinental Cup winner with Santos (1962 and 1963).
One-time Intercontinental Super Cup winner (1968).
One-time NASL Soccer Bowl winner with the New York Cosmos (1977).
Campeonato Paulista top scorer with Santos (1957, 1958, 199,1960, 1961,1962,1963, 1964,1965, 1969, 1973).
FIFA World Cup Best Young Player with Brazil in 1958.
FIFA World Cup All-Star team (1958 and 1970).
Best player and top scorer of the Copa America 1959.
Top scorer of the Intercontinental Cup in 1962 and 1963.
Top scorer of the Copa Libertadores in 1965.
South American Footballer of the Year in 1973.
NASL Most Valuable Player in 1976.
Member of the NASL All-Star team in 1975, 1976, and 1977.
Since 1994 he has been a member of the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
In 1997 he received the MARCA Leyenda.
Member of the World Team of the 20th Century.
Best player of the 20th century according to the IFFHS.
Best South American player of the 20th century according to IFFHS.
FIFA Player of the 20th Century.
Copa America Historic Selection.
International Football Hall of Fame.