The Brazilian and world football legend, Pele, died at the age of 83, after a difficult battle with the disease.The last moments of Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pele were spent in the hospital with the family gathered to try to make the last days of the beloved legend easier.Pele was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021, and recently his condition suddenly worsened.His body stopped responding to therapies, and since November 29 he was in the “Albert Einstein” hospital in Sao Paulo.
The football world has long been divided over which of the two grandmasters of green fields is the best of all time, so much so that even FIFA gave up on the comparison and jointly declared them the best players of the 20th century.In an open letter, Pele addressed Maradona, but also the rest of the world, claiming that it was Diego who was incomparable.Seven days have passed since you left us. Many people liked to compare us. You were a genius who charmed the world. A magician with a ball at his feet. But above all, to me you will always be a dear friend with a big heart.
I know the world would be a better place if we put our comparisons aside and focus on appreciating us for what we did on the pitch. Therefore, I want to tell you that you are incomparable. Your journey was based on honesty. In your unique way, you taught us that we should say “I love you” more often.
Your quick departure prevented me from telling you personally that I love you, so now I will write to you: I love you, Diego. My dear friend, thank you for our whole adventure. One day, in heaven, you and I will play together. It will be the first time I raise my hands in celebration of a victory on a pitch without scoring a goal. It will be because I will be able to hug you again – Pele wrote in a letter to Maradona.
Pele made his debut for Santos in 1956, which was the beginning of his career. The Brazilian striker revolutionized football with his style of play and unrelenting goalscoring for the next almost 22 years, creating a legacy as one of the most talented players to ever grace the pitch and bringing a style that no one had seen before.Pele led the Brazilian national team to three world championship titles – in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He played 92 games for Brazil and scored 77 goals.In the club competition, he played for Santos from 1956 to 1974, and finished his career in the USA, in the New York Cosmos.
