蜜芽传媒

President Jair Bolsonaro has declared three days of national mourning for Brazilian footballing icon, Pele, who has died at 82. 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.

Pele went on to win the World Cup a record two times more - in 1962 and 1970.

He had been suffering with kidney and prostate problems in recent years. He was readmitted to hospital in late November 2022. His daughter Kely Nascimento has kept fans updated on her father's condition with regular social media updates from hospital.

On Thursday she posted a picture of what appeared to be Pele's family's hands on his body in hospital and wrote: "Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."

The first black Brazilian to be recognised in his own country and around the world at a time of colonialism, Pele was a hero to Africans and black people according to journalist and football commentator, Usher Komugisha.

鈥淗e made a trip to South Africa [under apartheid or white-only rule] and was not able to leave the airport because he was black. He could not believe his eyes.鈥�

鈥淎nd then when [apartheid ended] he went to visit Madiba [the first President of the post-apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela]. For me that鈥檚 iconic.鈥�

(Pic: Pele is raised on the shoulders of his team mates after winning the World Cup; Credit: Getty Images)

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