Pele, the Brazilian football king who won three World Cups in a row and became one of sports’ most influential figures of the 20th century, died on Thursday. He was 82.

The “beautiful game’s” standard-bearer had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer from 2021. The medical center in which he was hospitalized for the past month confirmed that he died from multiple organ failure due to the cancer.

“Thank you for everything we are,” said his daughter Kely Nascimento “We love you endlessly,” wrote on Instagram. “We love you endlessly. Rest in peace.”

Joe Fraga confirmed his death, “The King has passed.”

Pele, widely regarded as one soccer’s greatest players and the most prolific scorer in the game, spent nearly two decades captivating fans and dazzling rivals with Brazilian club Santos as well as the Brazil national football team.

His grace, athleticism, and mesmerising movements transfixed players and supporters. He created a fast and fluid style which revolutionized the sport. His samba-like flair personified the elegance of his country on the field.

He took Brazil to the heights of soccer and became a world ambassador for his sport. His journey began in the streets of Sao Paulo, where he kicked a sock filled with newspapers or rags.

Pele is not mentioned in the discussion about the greatest soccer players. Only the late Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are mentioned.

Pele’s total goal count varies between 650 (all senior matches), and 1,281 (some against low-level competition).

The “King” was introduced to world at the 1958 World Cup, in Sweden. He was the youngest player at that tournament. After scoring two goals, he was carried off on teammates’ shoulders in Brazil’s 5-2 win over the host nation in the final.

Pele’s World Cup victory in Mexico 1970 was a triumph for his country, as he only played two games due to injury in 1962. He scored the final goal and set up Carlos Alberto for the fourth goal in a 4-1 win over Italy.

Pele’s image in a yellow Brazil jersey with the No. Soccer fans around the world still remember Pele’s bright yellow Brazil jersey with the No. As does his trademark celebration of a goal — a jump with his right fist raised high above his head.

Pele was so famous that in 1967, the Nigerian civil war factions agreed to a short cease-fire in order for him to play an exhibition match. In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain knighted him. When he went to Washington to promote the game in North America, the US president was the first person who extended his hand.

The host introduced his guest by saying, “My name is Ronald Reagan and I am the President of the United States of America.” “But you don’t need to introduce yourselves because everyone knows who Pele”

Pele was Brazil’s first modern Black national icon, but he rarely spoke out against racism in a nation where the rich and powerful are mostly white.

Fans taunted Pele at home with monkey chants.

Angelica Basthi is one of Pele’s biographers. “He said he would not play if he was forced to stop playing every time he heard these chants,” she said. “He is the key to Black pride in Brazil but never wanted flagbearer status.”

Pele’s life took many different forms after soccer. He was a politician – Brazil’s Extraordinary Sport Minister – a wealthy businessman and an ambassador for UNESCO.

He played in movies and soap operas, and even composed songs. He also recorded CDs with popular Brazilian music.

As his health declined, his appearances and travels became less frequent. He was often seen in his wheelchair during his last years. He also did not attend the ceremony to unveil a statue that featured him as a member of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup Team. Pele spent his 80th Birthday alone with a few close family members in a beach house.

Pele was born Edson Arantes Do Nascimento in the small town of Tres Coracoes, in the interior of Minas Gerais, on 23 October 1940. He grew up polishing shoes to pay for his modest soccer equipment.

Pele’s talent caught the attention of Santos youth squads when he was 11. A local professional player introduced him. It didn’t seem long before he made it to the senior team.

He scored with the same ease against his friends at home, despite his 5-foot-8 frame. He made his debut with the Brazilian club in 1956 at the age of 16. The club quickly gained international recognition.

Pele was given to him after he mispronounced the name of a football player named Bile.

He was a reserve at the 1958 World Cup, but he became a key member of his country’s championship squad. His first goal was voted one of the greatest in World Cup history. He flicked the football over the head and around a defender to volley the ball home.

Pele, who was already considered to be the best player in the world at the time, found the 1966 World Cup held in England, won by the host nation’s team, bittersweet. Brazil was knocked off in the group stages and Pele was furious at the harsh treatment. He vowed that this would be his last World Cup.

He changed his mind, and was rejuvenated at the 1970 World Cup. In a match against England, he scored a goal with a header, but the great Gordon Banks flipped it over the bar. Pele compared the save, one of the greatest in World Cup history, to a salmon climbing up a waterfall. Later, in his final World Cup match, he scored the first goal against Italy.

Pele played 114 official matches for Brazil and scored a total of 95 goals. Of these, 77 were in official matches.

After the 1972 season, he entered semi-retirement. Rich European clubs wanted to sign him but the Brazilian government intervened and declared him a national treasure.

Pele’s energy and vision drove the Brazilian national team to a fast and fluid style of play, which exemplified the “Beautiful Game” in Portuguese. His autobiography “My Life and the Beautiful Game”, published in 1977, made the phrase a part of soccer lexicon.

In 1975, Pele joined the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League. Pele, who was 34 and well past his prime at the time, helped to raise the profile of soccer in North America. He led the Cosmos team to the 1977 title and scored 64 goal in three seasons.

Pele’s career ended on 1 October 1977 in New Jersey, during an exhibition match between the Cosmos vs Santos. The crowd of 77,000 people was there to witness this. He played half of each match with each club. Muhammad Ali was among the dignitaries present. He is perhaps the only athlete whose fame spans the globe.

Pele’s personal life was not easy, especially after his son Edinho had been arrested for drug-related offenses. Pele has two daughters from his first marriage to Assiri Seixas and two daughters from his second marriage to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. He later married businesswoman Marcia Cibele Aoki.