Pelé dead at 82: Brazilian football legend dies after long illness

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Football icon Pelé has died aged 82. News of the Brazilian football legend's death made the news on December 29, 2022. The athlete, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died in a Sao Paolo hospital after protracted health issues, such as confirmed his manager Joe Fraga to . His doctors previously said he was battling cancer and "kidney and heart dysfunction".

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Pelé is seen in Britain in this portrait from 2000. (Shutterstock)

Pelé was arguably one of the greatest football players of all time , bringing his country its first World Cup in 1956 and again in 1962 and 1970. During his 21-year professional career, he scored 1,283 goals in 1,367 professional matches, including 77 for the national team from Brazil.

Born in rural Brazil to parents Dondinho and Dona Celeste on October 23, 1940, the origin of his childhood nickname is still debated. "Pelé" doesn't make sense in his native Portuguese.

What was clear was his talent for the sport. As a teenager, he was recruited to the Bauru Athletic Club for his agility and graceful footwork. After a stellar first season, he was welcomed...