Brazilian football legend, Edson Arante Do Nastimentos known to the world as Pele, has passed away at the age of 82, according to his agent.
The former Santos FC player, who is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, had been receiving treatment at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo since November 29th.
A recent medical report revealed that he was suffering from cardiac and renal dysfunction, as well as a battle with colon cancer that began in September 2021.
Pele began his professional career with Santos at the age of 15 and joined the Brazilian national team a year later.
He made his international debut as a 17-year-old in the 1958 World Cup and quickly established himself as a global football star.
During his illustrious career, Pele won three World Cups – in 1958, 1962, and 1970 – a feat that has not been matched by any other player.
He played a crucial role in Brazil’s 1970 World Cup win in Mexico, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest international football teams of all time.
Pele’s career spanned from 1957 to 1977 and saw him score a staggering 757 goals in 831 games, although Santos claims his tally was closer to 1,000.
