By Akinwale Kasali
Football great, Edson Arantes Dos Nascimento popularly known as Pele, has succumbed to the cold hands of death. He had a long battle with colon and prostrate cancer, which spread to his kidney.
The 82-year old soccer icon, had a couple of days ago bid his family members farewell.
He was bedridden before the commencement of the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar.
He had been treated for colon cancer, following surgery to remove a tumour in September 2021, and had required regular medical treatment.
After being admitted back into the hospital at the end of November to re-evaluate his cancer treatment, he was diagnosed with a respiratory infection before subsequently being moved to palliative care when his body became unresponsive to chemotherapy. He was on stage four.
The three time World Cup winner -1958,1962,1970- passed away on Thursday at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Pele made his international debut at the age of 16 and announced himself to a global audience in 1958, when, still only 17, he scored six goals in four games as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. He scored twice in a 5-2 final win over Sweden in Stockholm.
His 1970 teammate Tostao remarked: “Pele was the greatest – he was simply flawless. And off the pitch, he is always smiling and upbeat. You never see him bad-tempered. He loves being Pele.” Sir Bobby Charlton, part of the England side beaten 1-0 in the group stage of that tournament by Brazil, remarked later in life: “I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player.”
Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although his long-time club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
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