Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) passes away at age 82.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele).

The legendary Brazilian football player, Pele has passed away at the age of 82.

Pele, also known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died suddenly on Thursday after experiencing a lot of health challenges in recent years.

Despite spending much of his career in his own country and becoming one of football's most recognisable figures worldwide, the Brazilian became associated with the game.

He is recognised as one of the best players of all time and won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970, an incredible three times.

Pele made his professional football debut for Santos at the age of only 15 and went on to set a club record for goals scored with 643 in 659 appearances.

With Santos, he won six league championships, including five straight, and many more prizes, including the Copa Libertadores thrice.

He first gained popularity on a worldwide scale during the World Cup, when his electric performance and magnificent goals wowed spectators.

Pele made his Brazil debut at age 16 in 1957, and a year later, he won the global championship. At age 17 years and 249 days, he was still the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

No one has ever won the competition twice, and he continues to hold the record for most goals scored by a Brazilian with 77 in 92.

Pele was one of the most well-known athletes of the 20th century, and even after retiring from the game after a short stint with the New York Cosmos, he remained a significant presence in the sport.

The Guinness Book of Records recognises his 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including friendlies, as the most in history, albeit this number has come under scrutiny.

Pele kept up his efforts to promote the game all around the world when he retired.

He appeared in the 1981 movie Escape to Victory with Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine, which many people will remember.

He was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO in 1994 and supported Brazil's quest to host the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Pele's health has deteriorated recently, and he showed up for the 2018 World Cup draw in a wheelchair.

He had surgery to remove a colon tumour in September 2021, and over the next months, he remained in and out of the hospital.

On Thursday, a statement announcing his passing at the age of 82 was released.

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Source: ghananews.hrforum.uk