Brazilian Legend Pele Dies, Sad World Football

Pele (Instagram @pele)

JAKARTA - Brazilian football legend Pele died at the age of 82 at Albert Einstein Hospital, Sao Paulo, Thursday local time or Friday morning WIB.

Albert Einstein Hospital said Pele died at 3:27 p.m. local time "due to a number of organ failures due to colon cancer development and some previous medical conditions."

The news of the death of the man whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento was also confirmed through various social media accounts managed by his agent.

"Inspiration and love mark the journey of King Pele, who passed away peacefully today," wrote Pele's official Instagram account, @pele, quoted by Antara.

"On its way, Edson fascinated the world through his genius in sports, halting war, carrying social work around the world, and spreading what he most believes to be a cure for all our problems: love."

"Today's message is a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever," wrote a statement accompanying the upload of Pele's monochrome photo.

Pele has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past few months for follow-up after surgery to remove his intestinal tumor in September 2021.

The figure who was born in Minas Gerais is often labeled as one of the best football players in history.

He spent the first 18 years of his professional career at Santos where he made his debut at the age of 15 and scored 618 goals in 636 appearances with the Brazilian club, before completing his last three years in the United States in the New York Cosmos uniform.

With Santos, Pele led the club to collect 25 trophies including six Campeonato champions Brasieiro Serie A, two Copa Libertadores trophies, and two Intercontinental Cup trophies.

Pele's expertise was also proven at the international level with three gold medals while leading Brazil to three World Cup champions in 1958, 1962, and 1970.

In December 2000, Argentine Pele and legend Diego Maradona were both awarded the title of 20th Century Player of the Year.