Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil during his professional career.
Soccer legend Pelé died Thursday at age 82 due to complications from colon cancer, according to The Associated Press. He will be remembered for his talent on the field and celebrity status off of it; Pelé was one of the most famous athletes of the past century.
“A national hero in his native Brazil, Pelé was beloved around the world — by the very poor, among whom he was raised; the very rich, in whose circles he traveled; and just about everyone who ever saw him play,” The New York Times reported.
During his soccer career, Pelé led Brazil to three World Cup victories and also helped popularize the sport in the United States during a brief stint with the New York Cosmos.
