Soccer Icon Pelé Dies at 82 After Health Complications

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or better known in the soccer world as “Pelé,” has passed away at the age of 82.

His family was accompanying him in the hospital and his state of health, unfortunately, is became increasingly delicate in the last few weeks. Pelé, suffered from cancer, and during this time his doctors announced that the disease had advanced considerably, complicating the function of both his kidneys and heart.

Pelé was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1940 and is known around the whole world as one of the best soccer players of all time, having won the World Cup with the Brazilian shirt three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970. However, the beloved superstar has fans concerned regarding the state of his health, as he has been hospitalized for several days now in the San Pablo Albert Einstein hospital.

His family, who spent Christmas with him in the hospital, expressed a message of gratitude. One of them was from his daughter, Kely Nascimento, who wrote on Instagram:

“We always have a lot to be thankful for, even spending Christmas in the hospital we are aware of the privilege: it is to be in a hospital like the San Pablo Albert Einstein to see our father treated by these professionals, super competent and extremely affectionate. Not a moment goes by that we forget this privilege. Even in sadness, we just have to be grateful. Thank you for being together, thank you for all your love, thank you for being here with him now. Merry Christmas. Lots of health, lots of love, lots of joy, lots of laughter and lots of passion, today and always, for all of you. One more night together with him.”

Days ago, ESPN network in Brazil reported that the historic player had no intervention scheduled and what motivated his transfer was that his wife, Márcia Aoki, detected a “swelling all over his body.” Doctors later determined that he has “decompensated heart failure.”

Covid-19 also aggravated his respiratory infection. Doctors had started him on chemotherapy, but they were forced to suspend it due to this current complication on his health. Also, in 2021 doctors removed a tumor from his colon and since then, Pelé has had to return to the hospital on repeated occasions to receive treatment. In February of this year he was also treated for a urinary tract infection. But now, the Brazilian media assure that this new hospitalization was not previously scheduled, but rather that it was an unexpected emergency after he decompensated.

The ex soccer player suffered from generalized swelling, a generalized edema syndrome and congestive heart failure. It has also been stated that when he entered the hospital, he was restless, had difficulty eating and had been diagnosed with mental confusion. 

Concern grew not only in Brazil, but throughout the world since Pelé has been well loved and respected for decades, and fans were hoping that his health would take a turn for the better. Stay strong, Pelé!