Labeled “the greatest” by FIFA, Pele helped popularize soccer around the world.
Pele, Brazilian soccer legend and record-holding winner of three World Cups, has died.
The footballer’s agent, Joe Fraga, confirmed his passing tothe Associated Press.
Soccer legend Pelé.Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Pele died Thursday as a result of multiple organ failure from complications from colon cancer.
He was first diagnosed with cancer in Sept. 2021 and had been undergoing treatment for the disease since.
In 1997, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
But you don’t need to introduce yourself because everyone knows who Pele is."
Pele was also a prominent media figure, channeling his athletic success into movie roles.
He starred alongsideMichael CaineandSylvester Stallone.
He also starred in a 1969 telenovela,Os Estranhos, about establishing first contact with aliens.
He co-starred inHotshot, a 1987 movie about an American soccer player who seeks his advice.
2001’s satiricalMike Bassett: England Managerfeatured a Pele cameo.
After his time as a professional soccer player, he served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
In 1995, he was appointed the Brazilian Extraordinary Minister to Sport.
During his time in the post, he proposed legislation with the aim of reducing corruption in Brazilian soccer.
Pele was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Tres Coracoes, Brazil on Oct. 23, 1940.
Born into relative poverty, he grew up kicking balls of rags and shining shoes to purchase soccer gear.
He started playing for the Brazilian national team when he was only 16 years old.
Outside of his international play, he also was on Santos FC, a Brazilian professional club.
He became the top scorer in the league in his first year of play with the team.
He played for Santos over the course of three decades, until his semi-retirement in 1972.
He even led the Cosmos to the 1977 league title.
In 2016, he married businesswoman Marcia Cibele Aoki and they remained together until his death.
