New York Cosmos honor former player Pele as Barack Obama, USA forward Tim Weah, Tom Brady and USWNT legend Carli Lloyd pay tribute to Brazil soccer icon and three-time World Cup winner after his death aged 82
The iconic Brazilian footballer Pele passed away on Thursday at the age of 82, and the New York Cosmos have written a statement in his memory.
The three-time World Cup champion, who spent Christmas in the hospital receiving treatment for cardiac and renal problems, passed unexpectedly on December 28 from colon cancer after finding the disease had progressed on December 21.
Prior to his death one month later, he had been brought to the hospital on November 30 with “decompensated heart failure.”
The Cosmos statement read: ‘The New York Cosmos family, past and present, grieve the loss of sporting icon Pele. The Brazilian legend passed away today at the age of 82.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in the city of Tres Coracoes, Pele would become one of the world’s most celebrated figures. He made his professional soccer debut with Santos at the age of 15 and would go on to score over a thousand goals and win the FIFA World Cup three times before turning 30.
‘In 1975, Pele joined the New York Cosmos and helped popularize soccer across the United States. O Rei treated fans to numerous legendary moments on the pitch, including scoring a hat-trick to win the 1977 NASL Soccer Bowl.
‘During three seasons with the Cosmos, Pele helped transform the domestic landscape of the sport of soccer. Where once there had been baseball diamonds, now there were also soccer pitches.
‘The Cosmos and their King not only started a sporting revolution in America, they also traveled the world to spread the Gospel of the Beautiful Game, representing the world’s most global city at the global game, leaving a lasting sporting legacy in India, China, and Japan, where their visits remain a cherished part of local sporting lore.