Brazil legend Pele died at the age of 82 in a Brazilian hospital on Thursday afternoon.
He had a tough battle against colon cancer that was discovered in September 2021 and it led him to several chemotherapies and frequent hospital visits.
Pele’s influence is far beyond Brazil or South America because of his demonstration of good sportsmanship and leadership during his playing days.
Famously called ‘the King of Football’, Pele started his professional career at the age of 15 and he made his international debut for Brazil at 16. He remains the only player to lift three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He also scored a total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 matches which is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
FIFA, on their part, paid tribute to Pele during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with more than a hundred drones flying the legend’s shirt over the city of Doha.
