Brazilian highest goal scorer, Pele dies of cancer

Brazilian highest goal scorer, Pele has died of cancer after a prolonged battle with the ailment.

His agent Joe Fraga confirmed his death on Thursday.

He had been hospitalised since November with multiple ailments. On Thursday, his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote a tribute to her father on Instagram: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”

The 82-year-old three-time World Cup winner, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was also suffering from heart and kidney problems.

Pele had atumourremoved from his colon in September 2021. He wasadmittedto the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29.

On Wednesday, the hospital said his colon cancer was showing “progression” and he needed “more extensive care to treat kidney and heart failure”.

Pele, seen by many as the most talented footballer to ever play the game, led Brazil to a trio of World Cup titles in1958,1962and1970. He remains Brazil’s leading goal scorer, with 77 goals in 92 games.

Following Argentina’s World Cup win last week in Qatar, Pele posted a picture on social media of their team lifting the trophy and hailed performances from captain Lionel Messi, France’s rising star Kylian Mbappe and surprise semifinalists Morocco.

“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way,” he said. “What a gift it was to watch this spectacle of the future of our sport.”

Brazil players and fans in Qatar also unfurled banners on and off the pitch with an image of the football great and wishes for his recovery.