Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as “Pele,” who passed away at the age of 82 following a battle with colon cancer, has been mourned by President Buhari.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari expresses his sorrow as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, a Brazilian legend, passed away at the age of 82.
After a battle with colon cancer, the football king passed away on December 29, 2022.
Few weeks before the football great passed away, the former Santos striker was rushed to the hospital and placed in a palliative care unit after he stopped responding to therapy.
His family gathered in Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Israelita Hospital, where he was receiving medical attention, just before Christmas.
The three-time World Cup champion’s passing after this has devastated the football community and the whole world.
The president conveyed his sorrow in a message shared on Facebook by his Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, in which he recognises Pele’s contribution to the footballing world via his media adviser, Femi Adesina.
“May he rest in peace. He led a good life and made a huge contribution to the development of global football in particular and world sport in general.” he wrote.
The president, however described the Brazilian icon as an “enormous generosity of spirit and humility despite his greatness as a footballer and sportsman.”
He added, “He also built bridges across nations, races and even religions. He was a UN Ambassador of goodwill. Pele is gone but the world will never forget him. RIP. “