Pele celebrates birthday and says that living ‘for another 82 years is good’

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, turns 82 this Sunday (23) with good humor and joy. In a video posted on his social media, the football king said that, God willing, he wants to live “for another 82 years”.

“On my birthday, I just want to express my gratitude. Life is very good. Completing 82 years with you, in good health, is the best gift. Thank you for everything I have received”, he wrote on Instagram.

“My friends from Brazil and all over the world, I am happy, very happy to be here with you today and because God has given me this health so that I can thank you for everything I have received.

The whole world talks about Pele, the whole world knows that I am grateful for my age and for everything I have received in this world. 82 years is a gift from God. I hope we stay together for a long time. And, God willing, and our dear friends, for another 82 it’s fine.

And let it be clear: I sincerely appreciate everything I have received in this world, my fans and the people who adore me. Thank you so much,” the video says.

On his last birthday, the shirt number 10 of the Brazilian team was going through a more intense phase of his treatment for a colon tumor, diagnosed in September 2021. The king even asked for berets as a gift to wear on trips to the Albert Einstein Hospital, in São Paulo. , where he was undergoing chemotherapy.

Pelé began his career at Santos at age 15 and played in his first World Cup exactly 65 years ago, when he was just 16. He scored his first goal for Brazil in a match against Argentina that took place at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil ended up losing to 2-1.

Three-time World Champion (1958, 1962 and 1970), the top scorer is among the greatest of all time and was elected the athlete of the 20th century, with 765 goals in 812 matches and 1283 goals in 1363 games, including unofficial friendlies.

Now, his goal is to fulfill the promise he made to himself to go to Qatar to experience his last World Cup in loco.

“I want to go and watch the next World Cup, God willing. I’m going to hang up my boots so I can stay at home and enjoy the family. My children are all adults. I even joked with Tite: ‘if you continue as the coach of the national team, the next Cup will be the last I play. After that, I won’t be called up anymore'”, he said in an interview with Sheet in December 2018.

Throughout the day, Santos has published tributes to the player on their official Instagram profile. In one of them, a photo of the star in his youth accompanies the phrase “The one who turned the number 10 into something that transcends football”.

Players such as Rodrygo Goes, Neymar Jr., Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Ketlen Wiggers, Falcão, Pepe and the official profile of Diego Maradona, managed by his sons, also celebrated the idol’s life.