Former Portuguese soccer player Luís Figo, Ballon d’Or winner in 2000, said goodbye to the “king” after the death of former Brazilian soccer player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, at the age of 82.
“The king. May he rest in peace,” wrote the former Portuguese international, now 50.
Figo, also one of the leading forwards in international soccer in his day, posted a photo on Instagram and Facebook alongside Pelé.
The Brazilian and world soccer legend was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital, in São Paulo, on November 29, when he underwent a reassessment of treatment for colon cancer detected in September 2021, and treatment for a respiratory infection, aggravated by Covid -19, with antibiotics.
Since he was operated on for cancer, Pelé has gone through a cycle of chemotherapy sessions that forced him to go to the hospital several times to follow his evolution.
Pelé’s health has deteriorated in recent years due to other causes as well, such as spinal, hip and knee problems, which have reduced his mobility and forced him to undergo surgery, in addition to having suffered a kidney crisis, which has drastically reduced his public appearances, although he remained active on social media.
Pelé, the only three-time world champion soccer player, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, scored 77 goals in 92 games with the Brazilian team, having worn the jerseys of Santos and the North American Cosmos.
He was also Minister of Sports in the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, between 1995 and 1998.
Source: TSF
