The “football king” Pele passed away

Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento revealed on Instagram that her father passed away after receiving treatment for colon cancer, kidney failure, and heart failure at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"All we have is thanks to you. We love you so much. May you rest in peace," Kelly posted on Instagram, along with a photo of family members holding Pele's hand as he lay on the hospital bed.

Pele's daughter announcement on her Instagram.

After a protracted fight with cancer, Pele passed away from "multiple organ failure," according to a statement from Albert Einstein Hospital.

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Former players like Franz Beckenbauer and current football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe all simultaneously offered their sympathies on social media. And even Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shared his condolences on social networks.

Ronaldo shared his condolences on his Instagram.

Cristiano Ronaldo called Pele "an inspiration to millions," while Messi wrote, "Rest in peace, Pele." Neymar, the brightest Brazilian football star right now, said Pele had "turned football into art." Mbappe also said Pele's legacy "will never be forgotten."

Neymar also expressed his sympathy for his nation's legend.

Fans went to Pele’s former club's stadium to place flowers and offer their sympathies during the seven days of mourning that were announced in Santos, where Pele spent the most of his career. Many Brazilians visited the hospital where Pele passed away as well. "Pele is our greatest idol, the greatest football player of all time," said Antonio Perera, 46, who arrived at the hospital with his son Luis Eduardo, 12.

The Brazilian legend was born on October 23, 1940, in the city of Tres Coracoes, in southeastern Brazil. He was given the name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, after the American inventor Thomas Edison. He was raised selling peanuts on the street to support his poor family. Due to the mispronunciation of Bile, the name of the goalkeeper at Vasco de Sao Lourenco, where his father played, he was soon given the nickname Pele.

Pele spent the most of his career playing for Santos.

When Pele began playing professionally for Santos at the age of 15, he immediately caught people's notice. He and the club won numerous titles, including the Intercontinental Cup in the 1962–1963 season. Pele is the epitome of what is known as "samba football" in Brazil.

He has set an all-time record of scoring 1,281 goals after 1,363 games for Santos (1956–1974), Brazil national team, and the New York Cosmos (1975–1977). In addition to his records, he is also remembered for revolutionizing the game. As the first global soccer star, Pele played the most important role in the transformation of football into the "king of sports" by utilizing his amazing skills despite standing just 1.7 meters tall. He played with all his heart, as evidenced by the famous black and white photograph of the 17-year-old bursting into tears after helping Brazil win the World Cup for the first time in 1958.

17-year-old Pele bursted in to tear after winning the 1958 World Cup trophy.

Pele had made a commitment to deliver the Golden Cup to his nation eight years earlier while seeing his father sob as Brazil lost to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final at home.

At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where he played for what many believe to be the best squad of all time and which had many talented players like Rivellino, Tostao, and Jairzinho, Pele attained the height of his glory.

He is often warmly welcomed when going abroad with Santos or the national team. Pele turned down offers to play in Europe and only agreed to join the New York Cosmos when his playing days were about to come to an end.

From 1995 to 1998, he was the Brazilian Sports Minister, and he was one of the country's first black Cabinet members. Pele is also considered close to the government in Brazil.

Pele is still the only player to have won 3 World Cup trophies.

Pele's public appearances have become less frequent in recent years, and he was often seen sitting on a wheelchair. He was hospitalized several times for urinary tract infections. Pele underwent surgery in September 2021 to remove a colon tumor, and in November he was admitted to the hospital for another round of chemotherapy, but the situation was becoming worse.

Despite being in the hospital, Pele always maintains a positive attitude."I will face this battle with a smile on my face," he posted on Instagram after surgery to remove a colon tumor.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Pele was active on social media, including congratulating Argentina's captain Messi on their victory. 

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