The world of football and sports at large was thrown into mourning on Thursday as Brazilian football legend Pele, arguably the greatest footballer ever, gave up the ghost at the age of 82, following a prolonged kidney and prostate related illness.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for Brazil.
Till date, he is also the only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Pele was named Fifa’s Player of the Century in 2000.
President Jair Bolsonaro has declared three days of national mourning.
Meanwhile, glorious tributes have been flowing from football stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr and others, as well as World leaders, such as former US President, Barack Obama.
