By Kamsi Anayo with Agency report
Brazilian football icon Pele, globally regarded as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup winner who masterminded the “beautiful game,” has died at the age of 82, his family said Thursday.
“Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace,” daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram”
Kely Nascimento, daughter of Pele, confirms her father’s tragic passing at the age of 82 on Thursday December 29, in a heartfelt Instagram post.
The Brazilian legend passed away after a battle with colon cancer and his daughter shared an emotional post with her followers, claiming that everything she has is ‘thanks to’ her father.
The three-time World Cup winner is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all-time, and his tragic death has left the beautiful game – a phrase he coined – in mourning.
The post itself showed several pairs of hands clasped around those of a figure in a hospital bed, thought to be her legendary father himself.
Nascimento wrote that everything she is is because of her father
The Brazilian legend is remembered by seven children, as well as the wider football community.
The iconic forward managed 77 goals in 92 appearances for his country, and was one of the game’s leading exponents on the international stage.
Pele’s life off the field was just as colourful as his famous Brazil kit – he had seven children, many affairs, mixed with Presidents, acted in films, and even smashed the taboo around Viagra
With Pele’s passing aged 82, football has lost ‘The King’. For so long he was hailed as the greatest player of all time, but now Sportsmail asks: who REALLY is the best ever: Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Messi or Ronaldo?
He was also one of the first universally recognised names to make the move to the USA, joining New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977 when he retired from professional football.
But his daughter has not been the only person to send their messages out to the ex-Brazil international forward, with many of the game’s current and former faces paying tribute.
England’s 19966 World Cup final hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst wrote: ‘I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside).
‘For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.’
And fellow ex-Three Lions striker Gary Lineker added: ‘Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men.
‘He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt. He may have left us but he’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele.’
