Pelé, the Brazilian king and a legend of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday. He was 82.
Pelé had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical center where he had been hospitalized for the last month said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer.
Widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest players, Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team.
