ADEUS ‘BLACK PEARL’, PELE PASSES AWAY AT 82

Brazil’s three-time World-cup win – ning football icon, Pele passed away at the age of 82 following a cancer battle, Al Jazeera reported on Friday citing his agent Joe Fraga who confirmed the news of his demise. Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele was in poor health in recent months and has had quite a few stints in the hospital. The three-time World Cup champion, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was reportedly dealing with kidney and heart issues and was hospitalised since November with multiple ailments. In September 2021, Pele had a colon tumour removed, however on November 29, he was checked into the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo, according to Al Jazeera. Pele, widely regarded as the game’s most gifted player, guided Brazil to three World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970. With 77 goals in 92 games, he continues to be the top goal scorer for Brazil. Pele being the most expensive player of his generation was honoured with multiple titles such as ‘Black Pearl’, ‘King Pele’, ‘King of Football’ and many more. His demise will be a loss to the world of football, after Diego Maradona’s unfortunate decease Pele had quoted, “One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky”. Brazilian football star, Neymar Jr. took to Instagram to address hi grief stating, “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.” Other football stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thiago Silva have also paid their tribute to the legend via Instagram posts and blessings for his family.