by The daughter of international soccer sensation, Pelé posted a heartfelt message on social media on Thursday following the news that the 82-year-old Brazilian legend had passed away after a long battle with colon cancer.
Pelé had been receiving treatment for his cancer, which was diagnosed for the first time in 2021, at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo for the past month. The hospital said Thursday that he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer, according to The Associated Press.
FILE – In this June 21, 1970 file photo, Pele of Brazil holds his team’s Jules Rimet Trophy, or FIFA World Cup Trophy, after Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Italy in the World Cup at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
(AP Photo, File)
“Everything we are is because of you,” his daughter, Kely Nascimento, wrote in an Instagram post. “We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
NEYMAR JR., CRISTIANO RONALDO AMONG THOSE WHO GRIEF THE LOSS OF BRAZILIAN SOCCER PLAYER PELE
Nascimento opened up about her family’s struggles in an emotional message just a day earlier.
“These moments are difficult to explain. Sometimes it’s a lot of sadness and despair, at other times we laugh and talk about funny memories,” she wrote. “And what we learn the most from all this is that we have to look for each other, hug each other. Only then is this worth it. All together”.
Edson Arantes Do Nascimento Pele of Brazil celebrates victory after winning the 1970 Mexico World Cup match between Brazil and Italy at the Azteca Stadium June 21 in Citta del Messico. Mexico.
(Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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Pelé was hospitalized at the end of November to regulate his medication in his fight against colon cancer. His daughter said at the time that there was “no emergency” regarding her father’s health, but in the week before Christmas, the hospital said his condition had worsened.
A brief message posted on Pele’s Twitter on Wednesday confirmed the news of his passing.
“Inspiration and love marked the path of King Pelé, who passed away peacefully today,” the tweet read. “Love, love and love, forever.”
Pele, center, with other former Santos soccer players hold the Libertadores championship trophy during the team’s centenary celebration in Santos, Brazil, Saturday, April 14, 2012. Santos, the Brazilian club that ruled soccer with “El Rey”, Pelé in the 1960s, turned 100 with a rich history to show for it, including many major titles and notable victories that have made the club one of the most successful in football. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)
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Pelé became a global ambassador for the sport, becoming the only player in history to win the World Cup three times. He played 114 games for Brazil, scoring a record 95 goals, including 77 in official matches.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
