The legendary figure, a man who transcended his sport and was a global icon, learned that his colon cancer had advanced on December 21 and was told he would be kept in hospital over Christmas – with the iconic forward needing treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.
Previously he had been admitted to the hospital on November 30 with swelling all over his body and ‘decompensated heart failure’ before passing away a month on after receiving palliative care.
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The death of one of the most popular and recognisable athletes of the 20th century was confirmed on Pelé’s official Instagram account, which carried the message: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.”
He had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer and died at the Albert Einstein Israelite hospital in São Paulo, which said the cause of death was “multiple organ failure, a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition”.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento but better known by his nickname, Pelé burst on to the global stage at 17 as a member of the Brazilian team that won the 1958 World Cup, the first of three he would go on to lift.
The grieving family hasn’t yet disclosed any information on Pele’s burial. Check back here for more updates
