Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or Pele, as he was better known, passed away in Sao Paulo on December 29, 2022. He was suffering from kidney and prostate conditions and following the removal of Colon tumor in September 2021, he was readmitted in November 2022, due to recurring complications. Pele was 82 and hospital sources confirmed that he died due to the failure of multiple organs as a result of the progression of Colon cancer.

"Our king of football was the greatest exponent of a victorious Brazil, who was never afraid when faced with difficulty. He promised his father a World Cup and he presented us with three." - Brazilian Football Confederation

Pele's former club Santos released details of his funeral. On Monday morning his body will be moved from the hospital to the club's Estadio Urbano Caldeira, where the coffin will be placed in the centre of the pitch for the public to pay respects. On Tuesday, there will be a procession through the streets of Santos in Sao Paulo to a private family burial.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, became a global star when, aged 17, he helped Brazil win the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, forcing his way into the starting line-up by the knockout stages.

He scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Wales in the quarter-finals, a hat-trick against France in the semi-final and two in a 5-2 triumph over the hosts in the final.