Pale the king of football

                                                      Pale, the king of football

The world of football has lost its king with the news that the great Pele passed away at the age of 82. Pele has passed away aged 82 His death comes following a lengthy battle with cancer With three titles to his name, the great Brazilian won more World Cups than any other player in history Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or Pele as he was known and loved, passed away on 29 December aged 82 in Sao Paulo following a lengthy battle with cancer. He is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time. After several months of debilitating cancer treatment, Pele was admitted to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo on Wednesday, 30 November, with a respiratory tract infection.

Practitioners discovered a tumor in the Brazilian's right colon in September 2021 while he was having routine exams that had been delayed because to the COVID-19 pandemic. Surgery was necessary. Pele had been in and out of the hospital since the procedure, including for chemotherapy.

The most decorated player in World Cup history

 
Shortly after the FIFA World Cup, which catapulted Brazil's former No. 10 to legendary status in the sport, he passed away. Pele, then just 17 years old, was included in the 1958 Brazil team that went to Sweden and was instrumental in the Seleção's first-ever World Cup victory. During that edition, the teenager scored six goals, including two in his team's 5-2 triumph over Sweden in the Final.

Pele, who was still just 21, was undoubtedly at the top of his game four years later in 1962 when he scored another World Cup goal in Chile. Unfortunately, he was forced to witness the remainder of the tournament from the sidelines as the South Americans maintained their global crown due to a thigh muscle tear sustained during Brazil's second group match.

Following their defeat against Portugal and subsequent group-stage elimination, A Seleção's World Cup campaign ended abruptly, but Pele went on to score his ninth goal at England 1966. His final World Cup performance four years later would prove his redemption, despite the fact that many of his detractors, especially those at home, believed his career was ended.

The Santos legend led a historic Auriverde side at Mexico 1970, a team that many experts regard as the greatest ever Brazilian XI. Pele scored four times at the tournament, including one in the Final against Italy at the Estadio Azteca. Brazil and Pele had claimed their record third World Cup crown, winning seven consecutive games with their famous jogo bonito. The player known as 'O Rei' ('The King') also managed to end his international career with 12 World Cup goals to his name.

After then, football in the nation was split into two periods: before and after Pelé. In the decades that followed, Brazilians argued over who would be their next top player. Pele will always be regarded as the greatest Brazilian football player of all time, regardless of who is regarded as the second-best—Garrincha, Rivellino, Zico, Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, or Neymar.

Off the field and in Santos, USA

Pele spent the majority of his career at Santos, unlike many players of his generation, and never moved to a major European club. The forward played for the Alvinegro all over the world and was a member of their best team ever, which won the Intercontinental Cup and Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963.

The footballing icon then moved to the USA, becoming one of the early driving forces behind the sport’s growing popularity in the country. Pele played with New York Cosmos between 1975 and 1977, drawing big audiences to American venues. At the period, he also established himself in popular culture by making appearances in video games, artwork, and movies.

Additionally, even though the Mexico World Cup marked the end of his playing career, Pele continued to compete in subsequent competitions. When Brazil won their fifth world title in 2002, he was in Yokohama, Japan, giving out the winners' medals to his countrymen after the match. He also worked as a commentator and unofficial ambassador at USA 1994, where he witnessed Brazil lift the trophy for the fourth time in Pasadena.

Pele's tale will always be linked to the FIFA World Cup and Brazil's iconic yellow uniform.
He will be 'The King' forever as well.