SOCCER LEGEND PELE DIES
Brazilian football icon Pele has died at the age of 82.
The three-time World Cup winner fought a fierce battle with kidney problems and colon cancer. He underwent surgery related to colon cancer in September 2021 and then underwent chemotherapy.
His death was announced by his daughter on Instagram: “everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace”.
Pele was widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.
News24 reports that Pele, nicknamed “O Rei” (The King) scored more than 1 000 goals in one of the most storied careers in sport, before retiring in 1977.
Born Edson Arantes do Nasicemento in the south-eastern city of Tres Coracoes, he grew up selling peanuts on the street to help his family financially as they struggled.
Pele broke world records when he scored 1 281 goals in 1 363 matches while he played for his club Santos, the Brazilian national team and the New York Cosmos at the end of his career.
Pele’s long-time rival and friend Maradona, died of a heart attack in 2020 at the age of 60. At the time Pele posted on social media “the world has lost a legend. One day, I hope, we will play soccer together in the sky”.
Image credit: Deccan Herald