Pele: Brazil Legend Passes On at Age 82 After Battle With Cancer

• Edson Arantes do Nascimento better known as Pele has passed on to eternal glory
• Pele is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a career spanning over two decades
• The Brazilian football great had been suffering from kidney and prostate problems in recent years

Edson Arantes do Nascimento affectionately called Pele has passed on after a long battle with colon cancer.

Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Pele died on Thursday, December 29 at age 82.

Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021 and had been hospitalized for the last month with multiple ailments.

According to AP News, the medical centre where he had been hospitalized for the last month said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of cancer.

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Football

The death of Pele has left the football world crestfallen with many football stars pouring heartwarming tributes.

Aged 17, he helped Brazil win the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, forcing his way into the starting line-up by the knockout stages, per BBC.

Brazil dedicates win to ailing Pele

Brazil's players paid tribute to legend Pele, who is receiving hospital treatment in Sao Paulo due to his ailing health, after sauntering to a 4-1 World Cup victory over South Korea.

Following Monday's last-16 match at Stadium 974 in Doha, the players unfurled a huge banner to the 82-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Pele's battle with colon cancer is providing motivation for the players to try to win a record-extending sixth world title -- the first three of which Pele was part of.

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Rugby

Santos honour club legend Pele

Sports Brief earlier reported that Santos have resolved to pay tribute to legend Pele by updating the club's crest.

The Brazilian football club will use a crown emblazoned on its uniform as a tribute to the three-time World Cup winner, who has been receiving treatment in the hospital for the past few weeks.

The decision was announced by the president of the Deliberative Council of the São Paulo group, Celso Jatene in an interview.