Former Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, died on Thursday evening at the age of 82, said his agent, Joe Fraga.

The legend of Brazilian and world soccer, the only player to have won three World Cups and been voted Player of the 20th Century, was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo on November 29, when he underwent a re-evaluation of his treatment for the cancer detected in September 2021, and the treatment of a respiratory infection, aggravated by covid-19, with antibiotics.

Since his cancer operation, Pelé has undergone a cycle of chemotherapy sessions that have forced him to go to hospital several times to monitor his progress.

Pelé's health has worsened in recent years for other reasons too, such as back, hip and knee problems, which have reduced his mobility and forced him to have surgery, as well as suffering a kidney crisis, which has drastically reduced his public appearances, although he has continued to be active on social media.

Pelé, the only footballer to win the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, scored 77 goals in his 92 international caps for Brazil, having worn the jerseys of Santos and New York Cosmos.

He was also Minister of Sports in Fernando Henrique Cardoso's government, from 1995 to 1998.