Brazilian Pelé, the legend of world football and the brilliant striker who revolutionized the world of football, died on Thursday at the age of 82, according to his family.
And “King” daughter Kelly Nascimento wrote on Instagram from Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele was being treated for cancer a month ago, “We thank you. We love you so much. Rest in peace.”
Pelé, the only player to win the World Cup three times (1958, 1962 and 1970), was chosen as the best athlete of the last century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, and a year later as the best player of the same century by FIFA .
His death shocked fans around the world, just days after the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Croatia on penalties.
“Bring the cup home!”, Pelé’s official account was posted on social media, on the day of Brazil’s first match against Serbia (2-0).
Pele lost his last fight to colon cancer discovered in September 2021 during routine checkups Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, this lethal setter who helped birth the ‘samba ball’ is considered a “national treasure” in Brazil.
He scored an unprecedented abundance: 1281 goals in 1363 games with the colors of the Santos Club (1956-1974), the “Seleção” national team and the American Cosmos of New York (1975-1977). 10 on the back.
Pelé was a pioneer of modern football, with outstanding technique combined with unparalleled athleticism despite his modest stature (1.72m).
Despite his majesty, Pelé was thrilled, as evidenced by the unforgettable black and white scenes of the 17-year-old who won his first world title in 1958 in Sweden.
And in a promise made to his father, eight years after seeing him cry while listening on the radio to the famous defeat of the “Maracanazo” against Uruguay, which deprived Brazil of its first world titles in 1950 at home.
In 1970, during the first live broadcast of the World Cup in color, Pelé celebrated with a dazzling smile at the height of his career, his third world title, when he was in the gold team considered the most talented in history to include the likes of Rivelino , Tostao and Garzinho.
