Legendary Footballer Pelé dies at age 82

Pelé, recognised as one of the all-time great footballers, died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered forever.

Pelé is Brazil’s best goal scorer, with 77 in 92 appearances. He is Santos’ all-time top scorer with 643 goals in 659 games. Pelé

Pelé Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was born in Três Coraçes, Brazil, on October 23, 1940. He started playing football at an early age and at the age of 15, he joined Santos FC, a Brazilian football team. Pelé made his national team debut for Brazil in 1958.

Pelé established himself as an important player for Brazil, assisting the team in winning the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and becoming the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

Pelé continued to play for Brazil throughout the 1960s and 1970s, winning two more World Cups in 1962 and 1970 and cementing his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Scandals

Pelé’s career was not without scandal. He was criticized for his role in the Brazilian military dictatorship and was accused of advancing the regime’s objectives. Pelé married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in 1966. They had two daughters and a son: Kelly Cristina (born 13 January 1967), Jennifer (born 1978), and  Edson (“Edinho”, born 27 August 1970). The couple divorced in 1982.

Pelé was romantically involved with TV broadcaster Xuxa from 1981 until 1986. They began dating when she was 17 years old.

Pelé married psychologist and gospel singer Assria Lemos Seixas in April 1994, and she gave birth to twins Joshua and Celeste on September 28, 1996. In 2008, the couple divorced.

Pelé had at least two additional children from previous relationships.

Pelé revealed his desire to marry Marcia Aoki, a 41-year-old Japanese-Brazilian from Penápolis São Paulo, whom he had been seeing since 2010. They originally met in New York in the mid-1980s and reconnected in 2008.  They tied the knot in July of 2016.

Retirement

Pelé retired in 1977, but his influence on the sport persisted long after he did. He has received various awards and accolades, including the FIFA Order of Merit, the Olympic Order of the International Olympic Committee, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Pelé was also honoured in the Halls of Fame of the Brazilian Football Museum and the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Pelé’ died at the age of 82, on December 29, 2022, due to multiple organ failure caused by his colon cancer.