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

The Brazilian and world soccer legend, the only three-time World Cup winner, elected Player of the 20th Century, was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo on November 29, when he underwent a reevaluation of the treatment for the cancer detected in September 2021, and treatment for a respiratory infection, aggravated by covid-19, with antibiotics.

Since his cancer operation, Pelé has undergone a cycle of chemotherapy sessions that has required him to go to the hospital several times to follow his progress.

Pelé's health has worsened in recent years due to other causes as well, such as back, hip, and knee problems, which reduced his mobility and forced him to undergo surgery, and he suffered a kidney crisis, which drastically reduced his public appearances, although he remained active on social networks.

Pelé, the only footballer to win the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962, and 1970, scored 77 goals in 92 international appearances for the Brazilian national team, having played for Santos and the New York Cosmos.

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