The three-time Brazilian world champion has died at the age of 82.
(Photo: imago images/Martin Hoffmann)
Sao Paulo Brazil’s football legend Pelé is dead. After long treatment, the 82-year-old died of cancer on Thursday afternoon (local time), according to the Albert Einstein Hospital.
“Everything we are we owe 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 again and again in the recent past.
The official cause of death, according to the hospital, was multiple organ failure as a result of the progression of colon cancer related to his previous illness. The hospital expressed its 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.
Recently, Pelé’s health had continued to deteriorate. According to media reports, the chemotherapy had no longer worked. His daughter Kely do Nascimiento then initially announced that only her father’s medication would be adjusted. The hospital said in early December that Pelé had full control over his vital functions and was in stable clinical condition.
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But the newspaper “Folha de S. Paulo” reported that Pelé no longer responded to chemotherapy. Accordingly, cancer treatment in the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo has been suspended, and Pelé is only receiving palliative care.
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On the Wednesday before Christmas Eve, the hospital said Pele’s cancer was progressing and required more intensive care due to kidney and heart problems. Two days later, his daughter posted a photo of her father in bed, both embracing. Among other things, she wrote on Instagram: “One more night together.”
Pelé has also had hip problems and problems with his spine and knees in the past. A kidney stone was removed after a urinary tract infection. During a routine examination, the doctors finally discovered a tumor on the colon, which was removed in late summer.
A legend in his lifetime
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, as the striker was called by his full name, shaped football like no other. Pelé was already a legend in his lifetime. World governing body FIFA had named him – like Argentinian Diego Maradona – the “Player of the 20th Century”. With 77 goals in 92 international matches, Pelé is still the Seleção’s all-time record goalscorer. Pelé leaves behind seven children and his wife Márcia Cibele Aoki.
At the time of the 1970 World Cup, Pelé was considered the world star par excellence. The then 29-year-old also played a significant role in the battle between the two German sporting goods rivals Adidas and Puma.
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Both companies from Herzogenaurach wanted to equip the Brazilian superstar. But they wanted to prevent bidding from escalating into ruinous haggling.
A verbal agreement made headlines as the “Pelé Pact.” In the end, however, Armin Dassler couldn’t resist and equipped Pelé with Puma.
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