Pele dead at 82 File photo: Pele in interview at The Savoy Hotel before his attendance of the GQ Men of the Year Awards on September 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Pele10 ) (Eamonn M. McCormack)
By Lauren Silver, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
SAO PAULO — Soccer great Pelé, whose health had been deteriorating in recent weeks, died Thursday at 82, The Associated Press reported.
The Brazilian sports icon had been at Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions,” as we previously reported.
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had been receiving treatments for colon cancer since 2021. His agent, Joe Fraga, confirmed his death to the AP.
Pelé won the 1958 World Cup as a teenager with Brazil and added titles in 1962 and 1970. He remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches, according to The Associated Press.
In 2000, FIFA named Pelé as its Player of the Century, CNN reported. It was an honor he shared with Argentina’s Diego Maradona.
Different sources, depending on the games counted, list Pelé's goal totals between 650 (league matches) and 1,281 (all senior matches), according to the AP.
Pelé's fame transcended politics. In 1967, factions of a civil war in Nigeria agreed to a brief cease-fire so that he could play an exhibition match in the country, the AP reported. Pelé visited Washington D.C. in the 1980s to promote soccer in North America and shook hands with then-President Ronald Reagan.
“My name is Ronald Reagan, I’m the president of the United States of America,” the host said to his visitor. “But you don’t need to introduce yourself because everyone knows who Pelé is.”
Famous for rarely being injured during his career with Brazil and with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, Pelé suffered from hip problems and was unable to walk without assistance at the end of his life, Reuters reported.
Soccer great Pelé through the years (Original Caption) Miami, Florida: Head and shoulders portrait of the New York Cosmos soccer sensation Pele standing on the field in New York Cosmos uniform. The crowd can be seen in the background. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Soccer great Pelé through the years UNITED STATES - AUGUST 21: Soccer: US Cup of Champions, Santos F,C, Pele (10) in action vs S,L, Benfica at Randall's Island, New York, NY 8/21/1966 (Photo by Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X11846) (Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima)
Soccer great Pelé through the years Edson Arantes Do Nascimento Pele of Brazil celebrates the victory after winnings the 1970 World Cup in Mexico match between Brazil and Italy at Estadio Azteca on 21 June in Città del Messico. Mexico (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) (FOTO ALBERTO SABATTINI-AG AS SPORT/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years Sep 1980: Pele of Brazil in action during a training session. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years 31 Oct 2000: Pele during an AXA photocall at Wembley in London. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Mason /Allsport (Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years 31 Oct 2000: Pele during an AXA photocall at Wembley in London. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Mason /Allsport (Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 13: Soccer star Pele carries the Olympic Flame out of Maracana Stadium during Day 10 of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 13, 2004 in Rio De Janiero, Brazil. The Olympic Flame travels to 34 cities in 27 countries en route to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years COLOGNE, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: In this handout image released by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Brazilian soccer legend Pele' during their meeting August 20, 2005 in Cologne, Germany. Pope Benedict XVI met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and the chancellor's challenger for the September 18 elections, Angela Merkel, in a courtesy visit ahead of a key meeting with Muslim leaders from Germany's Turkish community. (Photo by Arturo Mari/L' Osservatore Romano via Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Football star Pele poses at the special screening of the film "Pele Forever" at the AFI Fest presented by Audi at the ArcLight Theatre November 4, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for AFI) (Stephen Shugerman)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LONDON - MAY 18: Brazilian football hero Pele holds copies of his autobiography at a book launch at the Virgin Megastore Picadilly on May 18, 2006 in London, England. The man they also call Edson Arantes do Nascimento attended the launch signing copies of his new book, Pele ? The Autobiography. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years NEW YORK - MARCH 19: David Beckham presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Pele at the MLS W.O.R.K.S. & U.S. Soccer Foundation Gala at Gotham Hall on March 19, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images) (Rob Loud/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - OCTOBER 02: Brazilian football legend Pele gestures during a press conference after the Rio 2016 presentation on October 2, 2009 at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 121st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote on October 2 on whether Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro or Madrid will host the 2016 Olympic Games. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: Soccer Legend Pele announces the return of the World Renowned New York Cosmos at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on August 1, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for the New York Cosmos) (Neilson Barnard)
Soccer great Pelé through the years SINGAPORE - MARCH 03: Football legend Pele speaks to the media at a press conference on March 3, 2011 at Jalan Besar Stadium, in Singapore. The press conference announced a partnership with Courts and launched the start of the New York Cosmos Asia Tour 2011 involving football stars Pele, Eric Cantona and Cobi Jones. The tour will visit Singapore and Hong Kong and involves a number of activities to spread goodwill through sport. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 09: Pele during the red carpet arrivals for the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2011 on January 9, 2012 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - OCTOBER 17: Football legend Pele - Edson Aranates do Nascimineto - signs memorabilia ahead of his visit to the Champions Promenade at Grimaldi Forum on October 17, 2012 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Golden Foot) (Vittorio Zunino Celotto)
Soccer great Pelé through the years SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - DECEMBER 04: Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and Pele (R) attend a Subway press conference to promote healthy living and lifestyle among children on December 04, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Rafael Neddermeyer/Getty Images) (Rafael Neddermeyer/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - DECEMBER 04: Pele attends a Subway press conference to promote healthy living and lifestyle among children on December 04, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Rafael Neddermeyer/Getty Images) (Rafael Neddermeyer/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 01: Pele holds a copy of his book "Why Soccer Matters" at Barnes & Noble, 5th Avenue on April 1, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years MIAMI, FL - APRIL 28: Pele celebrating the "Hublot Loves Football" American Kickoff with Pele at Romero Britto's Studio at Britto Central on April 28, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Hublot) (John Parra/Getty Images for Hublot)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Retired Brazilian professional footballer, Pele speaks during the Electronic Arts E3 press conference at the LA Sports Arena on June 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The EA press conference is held in conjunction with the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) which focuses on gaming systems and interactive entertainment, featuring introductions to new products and technologies. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Pele of Brazil attends the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on March 22, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Pele holds a replica Wolrd Cup trophy during a press conference at The Peninsula on March 26, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 02: Soccer Legend Pele Visits Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on September 2, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavi Torrent/Getty Images for Pele) (Xavi Torrent)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 01: Pele attends a photocall for Pele: The Collection presented by Julien's Auctions on June 1, 2016 at the Mall Galleries (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 05: Pele prepares at The Savoy Hotel before his attendance of the GQ Men of the Year Awards on September 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Pele10 ) (Eamonn M. McCormack)
Soccer great Pelé through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 05: Pele in interview at The Savoy Hotel before his attendance of the GQ Men of the Year Awards on September 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Pele10 ) (Eamonn M. McCormack)
Soccer great Pelé through the years DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 05: Brazil fans hold a banner showing support for former Brazil player Pele during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea at Stadium 974 on December 05, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (MICHAEL STEELE/Getty Images)