Brazil football legend Pele has been confirmed dead at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Brazil after a long battle with cancer.
It is dark hours for football fans across the globe as legendary football icon Pele finally waved goodbye to his loved ones and lovers of football across the globe.
The Brazil and world football icon died at the age of 82 at Albeit Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Thursday evening, December 29, 2022.
Pele has been regarded as the greatest player ever. His exploits is unmatched and yet to be rivaled by any player in the history of football.
Pele took the football world by storm, becoming the first player to hit a record 1,281 goals. He played a total of 1,36,3 matches in an heroic career that spanned over 21 years.
Football legend Pele @pele passed on a while ago after a long battle with cancer. RIP Pele #RIPPele #pele
— Futball News (@FutballNews_) December 29, 2022
“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love and love forever.” Message from his twitter page. Follow @FutballNews_ pic.twitter.com/wIHjdtHv30
Pele excelled in both club and national team football. He scored a total of 77 goals in 92 appearances for the Brazil national team.
In the history of football, Pele became the only player to win the World Cup on three occasions, including a back-to-back victory in 1958, 1962, and the 1970 World Cup.
In four successive editions of the world’s most coveted football tournament, Pele led Brazil to victories in three of the editions, missing only the 1966 edition, which was won by England.
In 2000, Pele landed one of the most prestigious football awards – FIFA Player of the Century, making him one of the most decorated football icons in the history of the game.
Before his shock demise, Pele struggled with prostate and kidney problems, which took a heavy toll on his physical well-being.
In September 2021, at Albeit Einstein hospital, he underwent a surgical operation to remove a tumor in his intestine and has been under continuous medical supervision and monitoring since then.
Pele’s last admission to the Albeit Einstein hospital was in late November 2022. He was admitted after his condition worsened. Pele was placed on life support and was not responding to treatment at a point.
After news of her deteriorating condition filtered in, messages of solidarity and prayers was offered by top players and clubs around the World. Real Madrid, Dos Santos, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Neymar jr were among the top stars who sent in prayers for the football icon following news of his deteriorating condition.
While Pele was comatose at the Albeit Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, his daughter Kely Nascimento continually posted updates on her father’s state of health.
The death of Pele has been confirmed by a post on the football icon’s official social media accounts.
Pele died at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer. Football has lost not only a legend but also an icon whose blueprints and legacies in the game will remain forever.