Pelé, football’s greatest player, dies at 82

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known by some as the “King of Football” but known worldwide as Pelé, died on Thursday in São Paulo, aged 82.

Pelé had been battling colon cancer since September 2021. He was admitted to the hospital on November 29, and his doctors said he was no longer responding to chemotherapy. He had been receiving end-of-life care since.

“Everything we are is because of you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace,” his daughter Kelly posted on social media.” His memorial service will reportedly take place at Vila Belmiro, the stadium of Santos — the team at which Pelé spent the vast majority of his career. On Twitter, Santos published a crown with the caption: “Eternal.”

News of his death brought an outpouring of mourning and remembrance in Brazil. He was a source of pride for Brazilian football fans of all ages, even those who never saw Pelé play. Many fans quickly flocked to Vila Belmiro stadium on a pilgrimage to pay their respects to the King.

“He was our greatest athlete, Brazil’s greatest ambassador,” said Ana Moser, who earlier on Thursday was announced as the country’s future sports minister. “I hope we will be able to honor his legacy.”

Throughout his 21-year career, Pelé won 37 titles and scored an incredible 1,279 goals in 1,363 games. He is also the only player ever to have won the World Cup three times, in 1958,...