Edson Arantes do Nascimento (82) passed away in Brazil, known as Pelé. The Brazilian is recognized worldwide as one of, if not the best footballer ever. He became world champion three times with Brazil.
Pelé had been ill for some time. The Brazilian underwent surgery for an intestinal tumor in 2021 and also received chemotherapy afterwards. A weakened Pelé was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo during the World Cup in Qatar. There he finally died on Thursday after multiple organ failure as a result of his colon cancer. This is stated in the medical report.
Pelé’s daughter, Kely Nascimento, spent the last days in hospital with her father and wrote on her Instagram: “We love you infinitely, rest in peace.”
Pele is celebrated in 1970 for his third world title with Brazil. — © AP
Pelé played football in his career for the Brazilian Santos and the American New York Cosmos. The genius attacker scored 1301 official goals in his entire career. The Brazilian is mentioned in the same breath as Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer as the best footballer of the 20th century. The Brazilian remained active in football after his career, mainly with a protocol function. In Brazil itself he was briefly extraordinary minister of sports, he also fulfilled an important role as ambassador for Unicef and Unesco.
