Brazilian Football Legend, Pele Is Dead

Brazilian football legend, Pele on Thursday died at the age of 82.

The three times World Cup winner had been hospitalised at the Albert Einstein Israelita Hospital in Sao Paulo shortly before Christmas after news that his colon cancer had worsened.

There were reports that the 82-year-old was having cardiac issues and medical staff were concerned that his chemotherapy treatment was not having the expected results.

A medical report released on 21 December said Pele’s cancer had worsened. His daughter confirmed the family would spend Christmas in the hospital with Pele after it emerged he required treatment for heart and kidney trouble.

However, the Associated Press on Thursday night confirmed that the three times World Cup winner is dead.

Naija News reports that Pele won the World Cup three times in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

The statement reads, “Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, winner of record 3 World Cups and standard-bearer for ‘the beautiful game,’ has died at 82.”

Pelé scored a record 77 goals in 92 international matches for Brazil and, while there is some debate among statisticians about his official career number, the Guinness Books of Records puts his tally in a 21-year senior career at 1,279 goals in 1,363 games.

He is considered as one of the greatest players of all time.