Pelé, the virtuoso Brazilian whose captivating skill and athleticism ensured he was universally regarded as one of football’s greatest players, has died aged 82.
Pelé, who had a colon tumor removed in 2021, was readmitted to Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital in November amid deteriorating health. A statement from the hospital confirmed the death of “our beloved football king” at 15:27 local time on Thursday, “due to multi-organ failure as a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition “.
A statement from Pelé’s official Instagram page added: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who passed away peacefully today. On his journey, Edson charmed the world with his genius in sports, stopped a war, carried out social works around the world and spread what he most believed was the cure for all our problems: love. His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever.”
Following reports that he was receiving end-of-life care, Pelé said he was feeling “strong, very hopeful” in a post on social media on 3 December. Another statement from the hospital on December 21 reported that Pelé “requires further care related to kidney and heart dysfunction” following the “progression” of his colon cancer. Social media posts from his daughter Kely Nascimento showed family members had gathered at the hospital to spend Christmas with him.
Brazil’s joint all-time leading scorer won the World Cup three times as a player, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, during a 14-year international career that included 77 goals in 92 appearances for his country . Nicknamed “the Black Pearl” and “the King”, Pelé was one of only three players to score in four World Cups. In 1,363 games, he scored 1,281 goals, at the time of his retirement in 1977, more than double his nearest rival.
It was the 1970 World Cup triumph for which he will be best celebrated, the linchpin of a beguiling team that included Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão and Rivelino that swept Mexico, his canary yellow jersey number 10 became a sports icon. .
World Soccer described Brazil’s 1970 winners as “more than a team”, adding: “The Brazilian side that won the 1970 World Cup in such style has become a myth, a team that “must present as the greatest exponents of the beautiful game”. Pelé was his figure and his inspiration.
Pelé causes problems for the English defense in the 1970 World Cup, one of three he won as a player. Photograph: Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, Pelé 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 poll of Ballon d’Or winners and Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
At its height, Pelé’s celebrity was such that he won audiences with popes and heads of state, his allure so great that when the ill-fated New York Cosmos sought a marquee name to launch a soccer assault on America , Pelé was one of the few footballers recognized by the American public in the seventies.
Pele had previously undergone hip replacement surgery in November 2012 at a time when he was struggling to cope with life on the road, and had since suffered a urinary infection after undergoing kidney surgery to to the removal of stones.
Pelé photographed in London in 2006. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
In recent years, Pelé had reduced his personal appearances, including in February 2020 when he did not attend a ceremony to unveil a statue of him representing the 1970 World Cup winning team due to mobility issues which made the Brazilian use walkers and wheelchairs in public. .
João Saldanha, the coach who helped shape the 1970 side, once said: “Ask me who is the best right-back in Brazil, and I’ll say Pelé. Ask me about the best left back or midfielder, or the best center forward. I always have to say Pele. If he wants to be a goalkeeper, he will be. There is only one Pelé.”