Brazilian football legend Pele – widely known as football’s first global superstar has died at the age of 82 on Thursday.
Since November Pele was continuously in hospital with multiple illnesses. He was suffering from colon cancer to which he succumbed yesterday. He underwent treatment for his cancer after a surgery to remove tumour in September 2021.
Following the recent FIFA World Cup, Pele shared a post on his social of Argentina lifting the World Cup trophy and praised team captain Lionel Messi, semi-finalists Morocco and France’s rising star Kylian Mbappe.
The 82-year old player was himself lifted three World Cup triumphs.
“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way,” said Pele.
As a 17-year old debutant Pele played his first match with a hat trick in 1958 World Cup final. Later, he became the leader of world’s greatest team during 1970. With teammates including Didi, Jairzinho, Nilton Santos and Garrincha – known to be best players of their time, Pele was part of Brazil’s golden generation.
Despite, his crucial roles in two World Cup triumphs and his goals revolving around Copa Libertadores, Rio-Sao Paulo tournament and international fixtures, the football legend spent his career maximumly in state championship and not in national leagues.
With three World Cup victories in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the Brazilian legendary player remained all time highest scorers with record of 77 goals. However, he could not perform to the fullest in 1962 World Cup because he suffered an injury in the very first and he had to skip all the others in the tournament.
