Football icon Pele has died at the age of 82, it's been reported. The Brazilian star had been battling cancer for more than a year.
His agent told the Associated Press that he had died following treatment at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo. He had been there since November 29.
A statement on Pele’s official Instagram account said: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.
“His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever.”
The former Santos FC star was regarded by many in the sport as one of the greatest footballers of all time. A medical report showed that he was suffering from cardiac and renal dysfunction before Christmas, Sky News reports.
He was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele began playing for Santos at 15 and the Brazilian national team a year later.
As a 17-year-old, he played in the 1958 World Cup. In his international career, he won three World Cups - 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He remains the only player to claim this. Brazil's third victory, which came in Mexico in 1970, is remembered as having seen him play in arguably the sport's greatest ever international team.
His 20-year career from 1957 to 1977 saw him score 757 goals in 831 games.
