African footballers. Brazilian Football legend Pelé dies at age 82. Brazilian Football Legend Pelé died on Thursday at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paolo following a battle with cancer and reactions poured in from all over the world to remember the only player to have won the World Cup three times.
What was Pele’s illness?
The legend had been hospitalised at the facility on November 29, 2022 for what his medical team called a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatments, which he has been receiving since having surgery to remove a colon tumour in September 2021. We wrote about it here: Football Legend Pelé in hospital again for tumour treatment.
What was Pele’s full name?
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known mononymously as Pelé, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.
How many World Cup wins did Pele have?
Pele the only player to have won the World Cup three times. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled “the greatest” by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century.
Some world leaders and great footballers gave touching tributes to the fallen hero Pelé:
President William Ruto eulogised Pelé as a Global icon of sporting excellence and high athletic achievement was an inspirational model which encouraged young men to transcend their limitations and defy all economic, social, cultural and political barriers.
“His profile as a Global icon of sporting excellence and high athletic achievement was an inspirational model which encouraged young men to transcend their limitations and defy all economic, social, cultural and political barriers. “
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“He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is forever,” Neymar wrote on Instagram. “I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the black and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!”
Christ the Redeemer, the state of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janiero, and the Wembley arch were both lit up in the colours of Brazil on Thursday night to honour Pele.
Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognisable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him said Barrack Obama.
Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe also paid their respects to Pele.
Mbappe posted an image of himself and Pele with the words: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.”
Messi simply wrote: “Rest in peace, Pele”.
“May he rest in peace. He led a good life and made a huge contribution to the development of global football in particular and world sport in general. He had an enormous generosity of spirit and humility despite his greatness as a footballer and sportsman. He also built bridges across nations, races and even religions. He was a UN Ambassador of goodwill. Pele is gone but the world will never forget him. RIP.” – Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria.
“I pay my respect and tribute to Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé.” — Paul Biya, President of Cameroon.
“We are saddened to learn that the Brazilian football #legend, Pelé has passed away. We fondly remember the three-time World Cup winner’s flair and how he dazzled opponents. MHSRIP.” — Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia.