Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labeled “the greatest” by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century.

Pele had been battling colon cancer and had to spend Christmas in the hospital, receiving treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction, before his death.

His daughter Kely Nascimento on December 29 confirmed his passing on Instagram, in a post that said: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”

Pele is considered one of the World’s greatest football players having been the only man to have won the World Cup on three occasions, as he helped Brazil to victory in the 1958, 1962, and 1970 tournaments. He also won the Golden Ball for the best player at the latter.

During a 21-year playing career, he is said to have scored 1,283 goals in 1,363 senior matches for clubs and country.

He led his only major Brazilian club, Santos, to six Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles, two Copa Libertadores crowns, two Intercontinental Cups, and one Intercontinental Supercup. He then moved to the USA to play for New York Cosmos and helped them win the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1977 while being named in the NASL all-star team on three occasions during his stay.

Pele had been in and out of the hospital battling a tumor which was eventually removed from his colon in September 2021 and subsequently having regular visitation due to a continued to fight against cancer.

It emerged on 30 November that he had been admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital with “general swelling” and was undergoing several tests for a more in-depth assessment of his health issues.

A medical report released on 21 December said Pele’s cancer had worsened. His daughter confirmed the family would spend Christmas in the hospital with Pele after it emerged he required treatment for heart and kidney trouble.