Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of ‘beautiful game,’ has died

The king of soccer in Brazil, Pel, who won three World Cup, died Thursday. He passed away at the age of 22.

The standard-bearer of the beautiful game had been treated for colon cancer. He died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer, according to the medical center.

Kely Nascimento wrote on social media that "all that we are is thanks to you." We love you as much as possible. Rest easy.

His agent said that the king had died.

Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game's most prolific scorer with the Brazil national team.

Fans and players were fascinated by his graceful and athletic moves.

He carried Brazil to soccer's heights and became a global ambassador for his sport in a journey that began on the streets of Sao Paolo state.

Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are the only soccer players mentioned in the same breath as Pel.

Pelé's goal totals are somewhere between 650 and 1,281, depending on the set of games.

The player who would be dubbed "The King" was introduced to the world at 17 years old. After scoring two goals, he was carried off the field by his teammates.

Injury limited him to just two games when Brazil retained the world title in 1962, but Pel was the emblem of his country's World Cup triumph in 1970. He scored in the final and set up Carlos for the last goal in a victory over Italy.

The image of Pel in a bright yellow Brazil jersey with the No. 10 stamped on the back is still alive and well. His goal celebration includes a leap with a right fist above his head.

In 1967, the warring sides of the civil war in Nigeria agreed to a cease-fire so Pel could play an exhibition match. He received a knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. The U.S. president stuck out his hand first when he visited Washington to promote the game.

The host said that he was the president of the United States of America. Everyone knows who Pel is, so you don't have to introduce yourself.

In a country where the rich and powerful tend to hail from the white minority, Pelé did not speak about racism.

There were monkey chants at home and all over the world.

One of Pel's biographers said that he would never play if he had to stop hearing those chants. He is important for Black people in Brazil, but never wanted to be a flag bearer.

The life of Pel took many different forms. He was a politician, a wealthy businessman, and an ambassador for the UN.

He had roles in movies and soap operas.

His travels and appearances decreased as his health deteriorated. During his final years, he was often seen in a wheelchair and did not attend a ceremony to unveil a statue of him. Pel was alone at a beach home for his 80th birthday.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in a small city in Minas Gerais state.

Pel was brought to the youth squad by a professional player. He made it to the senior squad very quickly.

He scored against grown men with the same ease he showed against his friends. The club gained worldwide recognition after he joined at 16.

He mispronounced the name of the player he was referring to.

He became a key player for his country when he was a reserve at the World Cup. One of the best World Cup goals of all time was the one he scored in the first game.

Pel was considered the world's top player at the time of the 1966 World Cup in England. Pel swore it was his final World Cup after Brazil was knocked out in the group stage.

In the 1970 World Cup, he was rejuvenated after changing his mind. The great goalkeeper Gordon Banks flipped the ball over the bar after he struck a headed goal. Pel likened the save to a man climbing up a waterfall. He scored the first goal in the final against Italy.

Pel played 114 matches with Brazil and scored a record 95 goals.

After the 1972 season, he retired after three decades with the team. The Brazilian government prevented him from being sold after European clubs tried to sign him.

Pel's energy, vision and imagination drove a gifted Brazilian national team with a fast, fluid style of play that exemplified "O Jogo Bonito" -- Portuguese for "The Beautiful Game." The phrase "My Life and the Beautiful Game" was used in his 1977 book.

He was a member of the New York Cosmos. Pel gave soccer a higher profile in North America when he was older. He scored 64 goals in three seasons as the leader of the Cosmos.

On October 1, 1977, Pel ended his career in front of a crowd of over eight thousand in New Jersey. He was a part of the game with each club. Muhammad Ali, perhaps the only other athlete whose renown spanned the globe, was among the guests.

Pelé had a difficult time in his personal life when his son was arrested on drug related charges. Pel had two daughters out of wedlock and five children from his first two marriages. He later married a woman.

That's right.

The reporter was from Madrid.

That's right.

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