"Football's king" Pele joins majority at 82 "There was never a Number 10 like him"

Brazilian football player Pele died on December 29, at the age of 82.

He had been battling cancer, as well as kidney and heart problems.

Pele was hospitalized on November 29. He had been regularly receiving hospital care since September 2021, when a tumour was removed from his colon.

His daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed his death in a post on Instagram, sharing a picture of the family holding the hands of the late soccer giant, DW reports.

"We love you endlessly. Rest in peace," she wrote.

In a post on Pele's official Instagram account, a statement read that Pele "enchanted the world with his genius in sport" and helped to spread a message of love.

"His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever," the post reads.

Pele's death sparked a wave of condolences from around the world, with the government of Brazil declaring three days of mourning for the late soccer star.

Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva posted an extended tribute to Pele on Twitter, writing how he felt privileged to have seen the late star in action.

"There was never a Number 10 like him," Lula wrote, referencing the number Pele wore while playing for Brazil's national team.

Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar Jr. wrote that "Pele changed everything," giving a voice to poor, to Black people and giving visibility to Brazil.

Brazil's CBF soccer federation said Pele "gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy."

Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo posted a tribute on his Instagram page, offering his condolences to the people of Brazil, saying the death of "King Pele" has sent great "pain" throughout the football world.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, team captain of the recently crowned World Cup champions, paid tribute to the star in a post on Instagram.