DLNews Sport:

The greatest footballer of all time has left the field.

Pelé is dead. He died on Thursday evening at the age of 82.

In 1970, Pelé won his third World Cup title at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. On that day, he became immortal for a good

Edson Arantes do Nascimento (his real name) gave us the greatest soccer moments of all time, the most beautiful games, and the best goals. Now it's tears.

He won the World Cup three times with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970. An entire nation was at his feet. Now the whole world is crying.

In recent years, the health of the "Footballer of the Century" (he received this award with Diego Maradona in 1999) deteriorated more and more.

In 2021 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. However, he did not give up. Again and again, he tried to reassure worried fans, checking in on social media. But again and again, he had to go to the hospital. Again and again, the world feared for the Brazilian.

In the past few years (here in 2020), Pelé has repeatedly given updates on his health.

Before Christmas, it became known that the chemotherapy would no longer work - and that the metastases had long since spread to the lungs and liver. A shock for the sports world.

But once again, the soccer idol turned to the world. With a statement, Pelé spoke out:

"My friends, I want everyone to keep calm and positive thoughts. I am strong, hopeful, and going about my treatment as usual. I would like to thank the whole team of doctors and nurses for the good care. I have great faith in God. And every loving message I get from you worldwide keeps me full of energy. And seeing Brazil in the World Cup, too."

Fans tried to give strength and hope to their idol in the past days. They put photos in front of the hospital and wished Pelé a miracle.

It was the last soccer wish of the great Pelés. But it was not fulfilled.

Pelé was not just a footballer. He was a magician. He did magic, and he celebrated the sport. It was the greatest show in the world.