Brazilian football legend Pele, arguably the greatest player
ever, has died at the age of 82.
He is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in
1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for
his country.
The only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting
the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was named Fifa's Player of the Century
in 2000.
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He had been suffering with kidney and prostate problems in
recent years.
Pele had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in
September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the
tumour was detected in routine tests. He was readmitted to hospital in late
November 2022.
His daughter Kely Nascimento has kept fans updated on her
father's condition with regular social media updates from hospital.
On Thursday she posted a picture of what appeared to be
Pele's family's hands on his body in hospital and wrote: "Everything we are
is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."
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The hospital confirmed that Pele died "due to the
failure of multiple organs, a result of the progression of colon cancer
associated with his previous clinical condition".
Pele's Twitter account posted: "Inspiration and love
marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love
and love, forever."
The Brazilian Football Confederation said: "Pele was
much more than the greatest sportsperson of all time.
"Our king of football was the greatest exponent of a
victorious Brazil, who was never afraid when faced with difficulty. He promised
his father a World Cup and he presented us with three.
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"The King gave us a new Brazil and we are so thankful
for his legacy. Thank you, Pele."
Pele's former club Santos released details of his funeral.
On Monday morning his body will be moved from the hospital to the club's
Estadio Urbano Caldeira, where the coffin will be placed in the centre of the
pitch for the public to pay respects.
On Tuesday, there will be a procession through the streets
of Santos in Sao Paulo to a private family burial.
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Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, became a
global star when, aged 17, he helped Brazil win the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, forcing
his way into the starting line-up by the knockout stages.
He scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Wales in the
quarter-finals, a hat-trick against France in the semi-final and two in a 5-2
triumph over the hosts in the final.
|
What
made Pele great |
|
|
Scored
a reported 1,281 goals in 1,363 games |
Made 14
appearances at World Cup finals, scoring 12 goals |
|
Racked
up 126 goals in 1959 alone |
Only
player to win three World Cups |
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Pele had made his debut for club side Santos two years
earlier at the age of 15, scoring in a 7-1 win over Corinthians de Santo Andre.
It was the first of 643 goals he would score for the club in
official competitions over 19 years, although Santos claim the total is
more than 1,000 once exhibition matches - often against high-profile
European opposition - are taken into account.
The Brazilian Football Confederation and Santos say Pele
scored 1,283 goals in 1,367 matches, while Fifa claims it was 1,281 goals in
1,366 games.
At the 1962 World Cup, Pele, then 21, scored a brilliant
individual goal in a 2-0 win over Mexico to open their campaign, but was
injured in the next match and watched from the sidelines as his team defended
their title.
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The final part of his trilogy of World Cup wins was his most
iconic. After being fouled out of the 1966 tournament in England, he was the
fulcrum of a thrilling attacking team that swept to the title in 1970, scoring
the opening goal in a 4-1 win over Italy in the final.
From his joyful tears on the chest of team-mate Nilton
Santos to his embrace with England captain Bobby Moore, Pele's moments of magic
have spanned eras and defined the history of the sport.
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He finished his club career as part of a star-studded New
York Cosmos side, playing alongside German legend Franz Beckenbauer and fellow
1970 World Cup winner Carlos Alberto.
"In music there is Beethoven and the rest. In football,
there is Pele and the rest," he said in 2000.
In a poll conducted by BBC Sport in 2020, Pele was voted
the greatest player, ahead of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego
Maradona and Johan Cruyff
SOURCE: BBCNEWS
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