Pele.
Pele, the 82-year-old Brazil football legend, is dead, Daily Post reports.
His family confirmed his passing on Thursday night in a post on Pele's official Instagram account.
Since undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in his colon in September 2021, Pele had been under regular medical care.
But toward the end of 2022, he was readmitted to the hospital.
Pele’s last social media post.
Pele's last social media post was on December 18, 2022, when he congratulated Argentina for winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and shared on his Instagram page, a photo of the Argentina national team celebrating with the FIFA World Cup trophy after beating France in the final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Reactions.
Messi
Reacting to the development, Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, on Thursday night posted a picture of him and Pele on his Instagram account and wrote: “Rest in peace, @pele.”
Ronaldo
For former Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, the passing of the football icon is a source of grave pain to the football world.
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo wrote “My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular, to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today, and forever. The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from a distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in every one of us football lovers. Rest in peace King Pelé."
Neymar.
Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar, described Pele as a man who gave voice to blacks and turned football into an art.
In a post on his Instagram account on Thursday night, Neymar said, “Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete.
"I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all.
Neymar.
“He turned football into art, into entertainment. Gave voice to the poor, and blacks, and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil.
“Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!”
The legendary footballer is recognized as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Sports.
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