Football legend Pelé is dead

“Everything we are is thanks to you,” Pelé’s daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram. “We love you infinitely, rest in peace.” The “King” (“O Rei”) of his sport has had to go to the hospital in São Paulo repeatedly in the recent past.

According to the hospital, the official cause of death was multiple organ failure as a result of the progression of colon cancer related to his previous illness. The hospital expressed solidarity with the family and all those suffering the loss. The Brazilian football association CBF published a photo of “King Pelé” on Twitter. “Forever,” was written above the portrait of the football legend in black and white.

Condition has recently become worse and worse Pelé's health had recently deteriorated further. According to media reports, the chemotherapy no longer worked. His daughter Kely do Nascimiento initially announced that her father's medication would simply be readjusted. At the beginning of December, the hospital said that Pelé had full control of his vital functions and was in a stable clinical condition.

Pelè won the World Cup three times with Brazil. © ANSA / GERARD MALIE

But the newspaper Folha de S. Paul reported that Pelé was no longer responding to chemotherapy. Accordingly, cancer treatment at the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo has been suspended and Pelé is only receiving palliative care.

Daughter posted picture from hospital bed On the Wednesday before Christmas Eve, the hospital announced that Pelé was showing signs of progression of his cancer and needed more intensive care due to kidney and heart problems. Two days later, his daughter posted a photo of her father in his hospital bed, both holding each other in his arms. She wrote on Instagram, among other things: “One more night together.”

Pelé's daughter posted this picture from her hospital bed a few days ago. © amkelynascimento/instagram

Pelé has also had repeated hip problems and problems with his spine and knee in the past. He had a kidney stone removed after a urinary tract infection. During a routine examination, doctors finally discovered a tumor on his colon, which was removed in late summer.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, as the striker's full name was, had shaped football like no other. Pelé was already a legend during his lifetime. The world association FIFA named him – just like the Argentinian Diego Maradona – “Player of the 20th Century”. With 77 goals in 92 international matches, Pelé is still the Seleção's record goalscorer. Pelé leaves behind seven children and his wife Márcia Cibele Aoki.

Profile of Pele Real name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento Born: October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes (BRA) First game: September 7, 1956 for Santos with a goal Last game: October 1, 1977 (for Cosmos) with his last goal Team appearances: 92 international matches, 77 goals Team debut: July 7, 1957 against Argentina with the goal in a 1-2 win Team appearances: 92 international matches, 77 goals Clubs: 1954-1956 AC Bauru, 1956-1974 FC Santos, 1975-1977 New York Cosmos

SUCCESS “Athlete of the Century” (IOC, 1999) “Footballer of the Century” together with Maradona (FIFA, 2000) 3 x world champions (1958, 1962, 1970) 2 x winners in the Intercontinental Cup (1962, 1963) 2 x South American Cup winner (1962, 1963) 10 Sao Paulo State championship titles 11 x top scorer 1 x Brazilian Cup winner (1968) US champion with New York Cosmos in 1977 1.284 goals in 1.375 official games (according to the book “Pele – my life”), including 1.087 goals in 1.120 games for Santos 127 goals in 1959 8 goals in the game Santos-Botafogo (11:0) 12 goals in four World Cup finals World Cup record: 14 games – 12 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat.

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Football legend Pelé is dead

Brazil's football legend Pelé is dead. After long treatment, the 82-year-old succumbed to cancer on Thursday afternoon (local time), as the Albert Einstein Hospital announced.

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