"No one was ever a king as beloved," says Dilma Rousseff about Pelé.
Former President Dilma Rousseff lamented the death of the three-time world champion at age 82.
247 - Former President Dilma Rousseff lamented the death of the king of football and one of the greatest athletes in history, Pelé, who died this Thursday at the age of 82.
"Thank you, Pelé! Thank you for the smiles you brought. For the tears of emotion. For the shouts of 'goal!' Thank you for the joy you gave to the Brazilian people and to the peoples of the world. No one was a king as beloved. I convey to the Brazilian people and to his family my immense sorrow," Dilma stated on Twitter.
Pelé was hospitalized in November to reassess his chemotherapy and undergo treatment for a respiratory infection, after having undergone surgery to remove a tumor in his colon in 2021.
Since then, the former player's health deteriorated, and the progression of the cancer required greater care related to Pelé's kidney and heart dysfunction, which he ultimately succumbed to.
The only player in history to win the World Cup three times, Pelé is the most well-known and most honored Brazilian in the world.
In recent years, Pelé had been suffering from various health problems, including hip surgery that left him unable to walk without assistance and significantly reduced his public appearances.
Hospitalized during the recent World Cup in Qatar, Pelé received several tributes throughout the tournament, including a large banner with his image amidst the Brazilian national team's fans and a banner carried by the players. On his social media, he posted comments about the World Cup, such as a message to Neymar after Brazil's elimination and a congratulatory message to the champion Argentina.
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