Related video: Pele admitted to hospital
Brazil football legend Pele has died at the age of 82.
The Associated Press confirmed the news, saying: “Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, winner of record 3 World Cups and 8sharer-bearer for ‘the beautiful game,’ has died at 82.”
Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Pele is the only man to have won the World Cup on three occasions, as he helped Brazil to success at the 1958, 1962 and 1970 tournaments, also winning the Golden Ball for best player at the latter.
At the first of those, the then-17-year-old became the youngest player to appear at a men’s World Cup although his record was subsequently broken by Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside.
During a 21-year playing career, he is said to have scored 1,283 goals in 1,363 senior matches for clubs and country, although that number is disputed given it included unofficial friendlies and tour matches.
Brazilian football legend Pelé dies aged 82
Brazilian football legend Pelé dies aged 82
Graeme Massie30 December 2022 00:10
Government of Brazil calls Pele ‘champion of champions’
“Pelé. Champion of champions, living legend of our lifetime. Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it; the epic number 10 shirt, immortalized by his genius,” the government’s official Twitter account stated.
Pelé. Champion of champions, living legend of our lifetime. Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it; the epic number 10 shirt, immortalized by his genius. pic.twitter.com/eXBiyvEsy8
— Government of Brazil (@govbrazil) December 29, 2022
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 23:31
Pele in pictures: Images from the life and career of Brazil’s football legend
Pele, who has died aged 82, won three World Cups and scored more than 1,000 goals in a sensational career.
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 23:01
The best of Pelé’s impossible goals
The best of Pelé’s impossible goals
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 22:21
Pele was always about more than football
A Netflix documentary explored the life of one of football’s greatest-ever players and the country that loved him like no other, Miguel Delaney writes.
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 22:02
Pele, Gordon Banks and the greatest save
England faced Brazil during the group stage of the 1970 World Cup.
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 21:42
Pele’s World Cup journey: From Sweden 1958 to Mexico 1970
The Brazilian’s reputation was built on his performances at the World Cup finals.
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 21:20
Barack Obama pays tribute to Pele
“Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him,” tweeted former president Barack Obama.
Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him. pic.twitter.com/urGRDePaPv
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2022
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 21:11
Leo Messi pays tribute to Pele
“Rest in peace,” the World Cup winner wrote on Instagram.
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 21:01
Brazil star Neymar pays tribute to Pele
“Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all,” Neymar wrote on Instagram.
“ He turned football into art, into entertainment He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!”
Graeme Massie29 December 2022 20:51
