The world mourns the loss of another legendary athlete. Pele, a Brazilian soccer champion and revered in the field of sports, passed away at the age of 82. His incredible skills and athleticism brought home many trophies and as one of the best football players in the world, his passing leaves a huge dent in the world of sports.
In 2021, Pele had a colon tumor removed, but the former athlete was soon brought to Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo this November due to health failure. On Thursday, the hospital confirmed his death at 3:27 pm local time due to multiple organ failure, a progression of colon cancer associated with a previous clinical condition.
Brazilian Athlete Pele And His Football Legacy
This devastating news broke millions of football fans all across the globe. A statement from Pele’s Instagram account reads:
“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social work all over the world, and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love. His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love, and love, forever.”
His fight was a long-enduring battle, and he had several medications, to which Pele once said he still felt strong “with a lot of hope,” in a social media post dated December 3. The hospital previously released a statement that the football star “requires further care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions” which already points to his deteriorating health. Pele’s family made sure to stick around him at the hospital to celebrate Christmas.
Pele’s record is unmatched in the world of football. He won Brazil three World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Known as “The Black Pearl,” Pele sits amongst the legends who have scored in four World Cups. In the 1,363 games he played, he scored 1,281 goals before he retired in 1977.
Brazil finally declared three days of mourning for the loss of their favorite athlete. The arch of Wembley Stadium was lit in the colors of the Brazilian flag to celebrate Pele’s legacy. He has proved that you can rise above hardships and poverty if one has the firm will to do so.
Fans All Across The World Honor Football Star
His tragic passing left fans overwhelmed with grief, and tributes from all over the world poured in on social media. They remember his legendary games, his fierceness on the battlefield, and above all, his indomitable spirit that every athlete and sports fan will always remember. Check out their tweets below:
My photo tribute to #Pele, the #BlackPearl who charmed the #world. #PeleEterno I captured these frames on 2015 in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/txodr56UYt
— Anindya Chattopadhyay (@ANINDYAtimes) December 30, 2022
Neymar's tribute to Pele 🗣️:
"Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. Before Pelé, football was just a sport. Pelé changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially to Brazil."
"Pelé is FOREVER!" pic.twitter.com/3koJurGwH2
— Whiteknight007 (@9407b34a22b64da) December 29, 2022
A heartfelt tribute to #Pele:
who changed football into an art,
who became a global icon for generations of athletes across the globe,
& who continues to inspire billions, today & everyday.
Rest in power! & thank you for everything you've done for the beautiful game of football! pic.twitter.com/HZqI6zJHCw— Gyanendra Malla (@gyanu_gm11) December 30, 2022
We Salute The King of football, the legendary, FIFA player of the century King #Pele, for inspiring millions of people across the globe!
He left us today, but his legacy will live forever !
Heartfelt Tributes 🙏🏽
May his soul rest in peace.#football #kingPele #OmShanti pic.twitter.com/kKkUn8ukxT— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 29, 2022
Tribute/trying to honor my first-ever hero, first love! We ALL love you @Pele -RIP Thank U for all you did for the entire world on&off the field! Pele is the original GOAT, all footballers are compared to Pele, his standards of excellence
Thank you, we love you
⚽️🏆🏆🏆🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/qZGqIy74kp— Chris Cissell (@CoachCissell) December 29, 2022
Pele, who became the face of football and a national gem of Brazil, left a legacy that will never be forgotten. The athlete started out very young and played at the age of 15, but that did not stop him from following his passion. He is not only a celebrated athlete but an advocate of goodwill and education for children.
Source: The Guardian
