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Soccer world mourns death of all-time great Pelé

ByMark Powell|
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 15: Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known in the World by the nickname of Pele, uses a walker to stand on stage, during the opening event of the 2018 Carioca Football Championship at Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 15, 2018. Pele was named Ambassador of the Carioca Championship, Regional Tournament with clubs of the city. (Photo by FABI0 TEIXEIRA /Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 15: Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known in the World by the nickname of Pele, uses a walker to stand on stage, during the opening event of the 2018 Carioca Football Championship at Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 15, 2018. Pele was named Ambassador of the Carioca Championship, Regional Tournament with clubs of the city. (Photo by FABI0 TEIXEIRA /Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The soccer world lost an all-time great on Thursday, as Brazilian legend Pele passed away at the age of 82.

Pele is widely considered the best soccer player of all-time, with perhaps Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi close behind. The Brazilian played in four World Cups (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970), scoring 12 goals in the process.

The Brazilian soccer star who rivaled Muhammad Ali as the most recognizable international athlete of his era had been dealing with cancer, as well as kidney and cardiac issues for the past few years.

He played primarily for the Brazilian club Santos, refusing to take his talents to Europe like so many South American stars after him. Eventually, the Brazilian legend did play in the United States, though past his prime. At 35, he agreed to a $7 million contract to play the final three seasons of his professional career with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.

When did Pele die?

Pele passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. The Brazilian soccer star was 82 years old. His death was mourned by the entire soccer community, who praised the GOAT as an all-time legend.

Pele remains the only player in soccer history to win three World Cups.

Pele World Cup wins

Pele retired as the only player in win three World Cups, a mark that still stands to this day. While the tournament did feature less teams during his era, it’s still an incredible accomplishment given the tenacity of the sport in his day. The Brazilian was the originator of the phrase ‘The Beautiful Game’, and played with such grace on the pitch.

How many goals to Pele score?

In 92 appearances for the Brazilian national team, he scored 77 goals. He is the all-time leading scorer for his country, and holds many World Cup and FIFA records. In terms of his overall goal count, some suggest he scored as many as 757 times. That number has been refuted, however, and an official amount has yet to be given.

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