Pelé, the Brazilian soccer legend who set a record by winning three World Cups, passed away on Thursday. Pelé was one of the most influential athletes of the 20th century. He was 82.
The representative of “the beautiful game” had been receiving colon cancer therapy since 2021. He had been hospitalized for several illnesses over the past month.
Joe Fraga, his agent, confirmed his demise.
One of soccer’s all-time greats, Pelé spent nearly two decades thrilling supporters and stunning rivals as the sport’s leading scorer for Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team.
Players and spectators were mesmerized by his grace, athleticism, and captivating maneuvers. He created a quick, flowing style that transformed the game, a samba-like flair that reflected his nation’s grace on the field.
In a career that started on the streets of Sao Paulo state, where he would kick a sock filled with newspapers or rags, he led Brazil to the pinnacles of soccer and developed into a global ambassador for his sport.
Only the late Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo are listed with Pelé when discussing the greatest soccer players.There are various sources that show Pelé’s goal totals as ranging from 650 (league games) to 1,281 (including other sets of games) (all senior matches, some against low-level competition.)
In front of an audience of over 77,000 people in New Jersey, Pelé finished his career on October 1, 1977, during a match between the Cosmos and Santos. He played half the game with each club. Muhammad Ali, who is arguably the only other athlete whose fame is known throughout the world, was one of the dignitaries there.
In his personal life, Pelé would experience hardships, particularly after Edinho, his son, was detained on drug-related charges. Five children were born to his first two marriages to Assiria Seixas Lemos and Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, and two girls were born out of wedlock. Marcia Cibele Aoki, a businesswoman, was his future wife.