Pele Death / Pele, the great footballer, breathed his last at the age of 82 – was very popular in India

Pele Death: Pele, the great Brazilian footballer and record three World Cup winner, died late on Thursday night. He was 82 years old. Pele, one of the greatest footballers of the century, was undergoing treatment for cancer since 2021. He was hospitalized since last month due to multiple ailments. His death was confirmed by his agent Joe Fraga. Regarded as one of football's greatest ever players, Pele entertained his fans through his sport for nearly two decades. He took Brazil to the pinnacle of football and in his journey became the global ambassador of the game.

Brazil won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970 under Pele. He scored 77 goals for Brazil. His national record was recently equaled by Neymar during the World Cup. Pele has five children from his marriages to Rosemary dos Reis Cholby and Assyria Sextas Lemos, and two daughters out of wedlock. He later married businesswoman Marcia Sibelle Oakey.

Pele's early life was not easy

Players who leave an indelible mark on multiple generations are rare and the death of football wizard Pele marks the end of an era in the world of football. Regarded as one of football's greatest players, Pele left an indelible mark on world football, playing first for the Santos club and then for the Brazil national team. Even the opponents of his feet magic used to become admirers. It is said that his playing reflected the Brazilian samba style. Pelé, who made Brazil a football superpower, began his career on the streets of São Paulo, where he played football by making a ball out of newspaper bundles or rubbish heaps. Born on 23 October 1940, Pele also polished shoes to buy a football kit.

First World Cup played at the age of 17

Pele, who was called 'The King', first got his iron in the World Cup in Sweden in 1958 at the age of 17 years. He was the youngest player in that tournament. Pelé, who scored two goals in a 5–2 win against the hosts in the final, was carried on the shoulders of his teammates. Then four years later he could play only two matches due to injury but Brazil retained the title. In the 1970 World Cup victory over Italy in Mexico, Pelé scored a goal in the final and assisted Carlos Alberto's goal. Pele's fame was such that in 1967 a ceasefire was called during the Nigerian Civil War so that he could play an exhibition match in Lagos.

Pele scored around 650 goals in league matches and 1281 goals in senior matches. He became part of the youth team of Santos at the age of 11 and was soon selected for the senior team. He scored 95 goals in 114 matches for Brazil. When European clubs raced to buy him, the Brazilian government had to intervene to stop it and declared him a national treasure. The image of Pele in the yellow number ten jersey of Brazil will forever be etched in the memory of football fans.