Brazil icon Pele, regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, has died at the age of 82. His passing now leaves millions in mourning 45 years after playing his last game.
The forward made the beautiful game a true spectacle with his grace and technique on the ball. He was also one of the first truly global footballers, despite Pele never playing his club football outside of the Americas. His name will forever remain synonymous with the sport.
Pele is the only player in history to win the FIFA World Cup three times. He helped Brazil to lift their maiden crown in 1958, retain the title in 1962 and win a third in 1970. The striker also scored 77 goals in 92 games across all competitions for his country from 1957 to 1971.
His daughter, Kely Nascimento, announced the forward’s death on Thursday, December 29 on her Instagram. Pele passed aged 82 ‘due to the failure of multiple organs, a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition’, per BBC Sport.
Pele will be remembered around the world for his influence in the game, which earned the Tres Coracoes-born legend the nickname, ‘The King of Football’. He started his career with Santos aged just 15 in 1956 and soon enjoyed his senior debut for Brazil only a year later.
When did Brazil icon Pele play his last game?
Pele remained active in football until his last game on October 1, 1977 in a friendly match between his two former clubs. The forward only ever played domestic football for Santos and New York Cosmos. He left Santos for the North American Soccer League side in 1975.
Cosmos won the friendly 2-1 but the scoreline was irrelevant as supporters bid farewell to Pele. He featured for both teams during the match having begun the action representing Santos before switching jerseys at half-time. The forward also scored during the first half.
Pele turned the ball home to net the 1,281st goal of his decorated career – a figure which remains a world record. Neymar also only matched his official haul of 77 goals for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But the Brazilian Football Confederation credits Pele with 95.
His 21-year playing career featured 1,363 appearances at the domestic level for Santos and New York Cosmos. Brazil has declared three days of national mourning after Pele’s death.
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