Pele’s daughter shares heartbreaking picture of family’s final moments together
Pele's daughter has shared a heartbreaking picture of their family's final moments together before his death.
The Brazilian football legend has passed away at the age of 82 following a battle with colon cancer, which he was diagnosed with last year. He had been admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo last month and remained there over Christmas.
Pele's family were by his side in his last days and daughter Kely Nascimento, 55, has posted to Instagram a picture she took of them all touching hands before his death.
READ MORE: Pele heads football's pantheon of greats – nobody defined the game more than him
She captioned the image: "Everything we are is because of you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."
The family also issued an official statement which read: "Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today.
"On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love. His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever."
Tributes have poured in from all around the football world for Pele, full name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is widely regarded as one of the best players to ever grace the pitch.
Former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted: "Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men. He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to.
"Three times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt. He may have left us but he’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele."
Fellow World Cup winner Geoff Hurst wrote: "I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside).
"For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you."
Pele's former club Santos also tweeted a picture of a crown, captioned: "Eterno."
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