Former Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso mourned today the death of soccer player Pelé, who was his minister, and whom he remembered as an “undisputable symbol” and “source of pride” for Brazil.

“With the deepest sadness, I receive the news of the death of @Pele, an indisputable symbol of our nation, a source of pride for all of us,” wrote the former head of state of Brazil (1995-2003).

“Besides being consecrated as a legend of world sports, Pelé was an exemplary public man, loyal to his principles, values, and to our country. We all lost with his departure,” he also considered.

Pelé was the Minister of Sports between 1995 and 1998, during Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s first administration.

The Brazilian and world soccer legend, the only three-time World Cup champion player, was admitted to the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital, in São Paulo, on November 29, when he underwent a reevaluation of the treatment for colon cancer detected in September 2021, and treatment of a respiratory infection, aggravated by covid-19, with antibiotics.

Since his cancer surgery, Pelé has undergone a cycle of chemotherapy sessions that has required him to go to the hospital several times to monitor his progress.

Pelé’s health has worsened in recent years due to other causes as well, such as back, hip, and knee problems, which reduced his mobility and forced him to undergo surgery, and he suffered a kidney crisis, which drastically reduced his public appearances, although he remained active on social networks.

Pelé, the only footballer to win the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962, and 1970, scored 77 goals in 92 international appearances for the Brazilian national team, having worn the jerseys of Santos and the North American New York Cosmos.

The hospital confirmed today “with regret” the death of the Brazilian footballer, at 15:27 local (18:27 in Lisbon), following “multiple organ failure, resulting from the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous medical condition”.