With great sadness, we report the passing of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, after a long battle with colon cancer.
Pelé was born in Três Corações, Brazil, on October 23, 1940, and began playing soccer at a young age. He made his professional debut for Santos FC at the age of 15 and quickly became known for his impressive skills on the field. Pelé's career with the Brazilian national team is perhaps his most memorable.
He played in four World Cups, winning three of them. In 1958, at the age of just 17, Pelé became the youngest player to ever score in a World Cup match. He went on to score a total of 12 goals in the tournament, helping Brazil win its first-ever World Cup. Pelé also helped lead Brazil to World Cup victories in 1962 and 1970, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
In addition to his success with the national team, Pelé also had a highly successful club career with Santos FC. He played for the team for 18 years and helped lead them to numerous victories in domestic and international competitions. Pelé scored a total of 643 goals in 656 appearances for Santos, making him one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the sport.
Pelé retired from professional soccer in 1977, but his impact on the sport has continued to be felt long after his playing days were over. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time and is often referred to as the "King of Football"; Pelé's skill and sportsmanship on the field, along with his contributions to the game off the field, have made him a global icon and a true legend of the sport.
Pelé's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and condolences from the soccer community and beyond. His impact on the sport and his enduring legacy will never be forgotten. Soccer fans around the world will greatly miss Pelé.
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