Legendary Brazilian footballer Pelé, is reportedly affirmed to have passed away at age 82 in the wake of becoming seriously sick during the last couple of months.
Pele had been diagnosed with colon cancer, and was on treatment in September 2021, after going through a medical procedure to rid himself of a tumour, and was placed on persistent care and attention.
Soon after he was readmitted back at the hospital toward the end of November to reexamine his cancer treatment, he was discovered to have a respiratory infection, and was then moved to palliative care, when his system no longer responded to chemotherapy.
Pele passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, and his daughter, Kely Nascimento, affirmed the news on Instagram, stating: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Viewed as one of the greatest players of all time, and named “the greatest” by FIFA, Pele was among the best and well known sports figures of the 20th century.
Back in 1999, he was declared Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was listed in the Time book record of the 100 most notable personalities of the 20th century.
Also, in 2000, Pelé was crowned World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century, with legendary footballer, Diego Maradona.
His 1,279 goal record in 1,363 games, including friendlies, is noted as a Guinness World Record.
