Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, has died after a long battle with metastatic cancer. Pelé, who has been described as the “Global Face of Soccer,” was 82. His agent, Joe Fraga, and his family confirmed on Thursday.
Pelé was a legendary and greatest footballer of all time, one of soccer’s greatest players and a transformative figure in 20th-century sports who achieved a level of global celebrity few athletes have known, died on Thursday in São Paulo.
“A national hero in his native Brazil, Pelé was beloved around the world—by the very poor, among whom he was raised; the very rich, in whose circles he travelled; and just about everyone who ever saw him play.
“The Brazilian legendary figure was a man who transcended his sport and was a global icon,” wrote The New York Times.
Pelé learnt that his colon cancer had advanced on December 21, 2022. He was told he would be kept in hospital over Christmas—with the iconic forward needing treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.
Pelé, who had been undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer, went into the Albert Einstein Hospital, being an unscheduled visit after being taken by his wife, Marcia Aoki and a carer.
Medical staff at the Einstein confirmed his condition of anasarca (general swelling), an edemigemic syndrome (general edema) and even identified ‘decompensated heart failure’.
It had also been reported that his chemotherapy treatment for his cancer was no longer working. He was diagnosed with mental confusion upon entering the hospital, where he was restless.
According to reports, the former footballer was reportedly struggling to eat. Medics looked at the likelihood of him having a hepatic encephalopathy – a nervous system disorder brought on by the severe liver disease.
His wife implied his hospital visit was only for his standard chemotherapy and check-ups. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, insisted there was no need for alarm. She said there was ‘no surprise or emergency’ involved with her father being in the hospital.
On Christmas Eve, Pelé’s daughter posted a moving photo of her father in a hospital bed as they cherish ‘another night together’ as he continued to battle cancer.
“We continue to be here, in the fight and in faith. Another night together,” his daughter, Kely Nascimento, wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of Pelé being hugged in bed.
Somewhat fittingly, one of the last posts he made on social media was about football, as he watched the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals on his sick bed.
“Hello from Brazil! I hope you’re all enjoying watching the games at the World Cup as much as I am,” he wrote on November 29.
“I love fútbol so deeply and I also love it for how it helps and empowers children through fun, teamwork, and creativity.
“That’s the reason why I started Pelé Foundation and why I’m delighted to announce that we are establishing our first ever Three Hearts Awards, which will recognise a player, non-profit organisation and inspiration annually, who has had a significant contribution, commitment to philanthropy, and community impact that aids and empowers children through educational, anti-poverty or health efforts,” he wrote.
Born on 23 October 1940, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.
According to Wikipedia, he was one of the greatest players of all time and was labelled “the greatest” by FIFA. Pelé was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th Century.
In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. He was included in the Time list of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century.
In 2000, Pelé was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). He was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century.
His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes friendlies, are recognised as a Guinness World Record.
