The world mourns the loss of Brazilian soccer legend Pele. He passed away at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer, with officials confirming the end of a storied career and a life lived at the center of football lore.
Reports in the media indicated that Pele had been hospitalized since late November due to complications associated with bowel cancer. Some outlets suggested his condition had progressed to the point where he required palliative care because his body was not responding to chemotherapy. These reports were later questioned by Pele’s daughters, Keli and Flavia, who stated that the hospitalization was linked to the coronavirus rather than palliative treatment.
Throughout the World Cup in Qatar, Pele continued to share messages on social networks, expressing gratitude to fans for their support and extending wishes for a swift recovery.
On December 26, a public statement from sources close to Pele confirmed that the football icon had bid farewell to his family and loved ones. The message, echoed by observers and supporters around the world, marked a somber moment in the history of the sport.
Pele remains the only player to win the FIFA World Cup three times, a feat achieved with the Brazilian national team in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Across his international career, he played 92 matches for Brazil and tallied 77 goals, a record that helped redefine the role of a forward in modern football and inspired generations of players to come. [Citation: Reuters]