King of football Pele passed away

Kely Nascimento, Pele's daughter, confirmed on Instagram that he passed away after being treated at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil for colon cancer, kidney failure and heart disease.

"Everything we have is because of you, Dad. We love you so much. Rest in peace, Dad," Kely posted on Instagram, along with a photo of family members holding Pele's hand as he lay in a hospital bed.

Albert Einstein Hospital also said in a statement that Pele died of "multiple organ failure" after a long battle with cancer.

Football legend Pele holds the World Cup trophy in Paris, France in 2014. Photo:AFP

Current football superstars such as Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, former player Franz Beckenbauer and Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva all posted condolences on social media.

"Rest in peace, Pele," Messi wrote, while fellow countryman Neymar said he "turned football into art." Mbappe said Pele's legacy "will never be forgotten" and Cristiano Ronaldo called him "an inspiration to millions."

The city of Santos, home to the club where Pele played for much of his career, declared seven days of mourning and fans flocked to the team's stadium to lay flowers in his memory. Many Brazilians also visited the hospital where he died. "Pele was our greatest idol, the greatest footballer of all time," said Antonio Perera, 46, who visited the hospital with his son Luis Eduardo, 12.

Pele was born on October 23, 1940 in the city of Tres Coracoes, Southeast Brazil.and was named Edson Arantes do Nascimento, after the American inventor Thomas Edison. He grew up selling peanuts on the streets to help his poor family make ends meet. He was soon nicknamed Pele due to a mispronunciation of Bile, the goalkeeper's name at Vasco de Sao Lourenco, where his father played.

Pele shone at the age of 15, when he turned professional with Santos. He won numerous trophies with the club, including the Intercontinental Cup in 1962-1963. Pele epitomized the style of play known in Brazil as "samba football".

He is the all-time leading scorer with 1,281 goals in 1,363 games for Santos (1956-1974), Brazil and the New York Cosmos (1975-1977). In addition to his records, he is remembered for revolutionizing the sport. As the first global football star, Pele played a major role in transforming the game into a global sport, capitalizing on his extraordinary ability despite being only 5ft 7in tall. He played with his heart, as can be seen in the iconic black-and-white footage of the 17-year-old crying after helping Brazil win their first World Cup in 1958.

Eight years earlier, having watched his father cry as Brazil lost to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final on home soil, Pele had vowed to one day bring the Cup home to his country.

Pele reached the height of his greatness at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where he was part of what many consider the greatest team of all time, with talents such as Rivellino, Tostao and Jairzinho.

Pele's impressive moments through the World Cup.

He was often given a warm welcome when he went abroad with Santos or the national team. Pele turned down offers to play in Europe and signed with the New York Cosmos near the end of his career.

He served as sports minister from 1995 to 1998, one of the first black cabinet members in Brazil. Pele is also considered close to governments in Brazil.

Pele's public appearances have become increasingly rare, and he often uses a walker or a wheelchair. He has been hospitalized several times with urinary infections. In September 2021, Pele had surgery to remove a colon tumor, and in November, he was hospitalized to reassess his chemotherapy, but his condition has worsened.

Despite being in a hospital bed, Pele always maintained an optimistic spirit. "I will face this battle with a smile on my face," he posted.Instagramafter colon tumor removal surgery.

Pele posted frequently on social media during the Qatar World Cup, including congratulating Captain Messi when Argentina won the championship.

Huyen Le