Santos has already prepared a coffin for the legendary Brazilian forward Pele. A related video surfaced online, drawing renewed attention to the 82-year-old icon’s condition.
Pele was admitted to hospital in late November after experiencing swelling and heart failure. Reports circulated that the former Brazil captain had been moved to palliative care as doctors faced a tough fight against bowel cancer, with his body not responding to chemotherapy. His family later disputed these claims, stating the hospitalization was due to the coronavirus instead. One of Pele’s daughters, Flavia, shared a recent photo with her father and wrote on social media that they were sharing “one more night together.”
Celebrated worldwide, Pele helped Brazil to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970, an achievement no other player has matched. He was voted the best player of the 1970 tournament and remains a towering figure in football history. In a Brazil career spanning two separate spells with Santos and a memorable stint with the New York Cosmos, Pele left an imprint on the sport that endures in the sport’s lore. The International Olympic Committee has even highlighted him as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, underscoring his global influence beyond football.
In other recent football news, reports noted the passing of former Juventus and Uruguay national team member Fabian O’Neill at 49, with sources noting alcohol-related health complications as the cause. The football world, known for its tight-knit communities, continues to reflect on the contributions of players who leave lasting marks on the game.