Soccer Legend Pelé Has Died At Age 82

Pelé, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, died on Thursday at age 82.The Brazilian known as the “King of Football” had been treated for colon cancer since 2021 and experienced other health problems in recent years. After reports that his condition had taken a turn, Brazil fans at the World Cup in Qatar on Dec. 2 displayed banners with get-well messages. Pelé's agent Joe Fraga confirmed his death to the Associated Press."Everything we are is thanks to you," Pelé's daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram in Portugese. "We love you infinitely. Rest in peace 💔 💔 💔"Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in 1940, he was named after Thomas Edison because electricity had recently been introduced in his hometown in Brazil. He picked up the name Pelé as a child, when he joined his minor-league soccer player father at training sessions; in a 2006 essay for the Guardian, he said even he wasn’t totally sure where it came from, but it probably had its roots in how he praised the team’s goalie, Bilé. By age 15, he was already playing professionally for Brazilian team Santos, and at 16, he joined the country’s national team. At 17, he became the youngest player to make it to the World Cu...