Pele, Brazil football legend and three-time World Cup winner, dies aged 82

The former striker had been battling cancer in Sao Paulo

Pele dribbles past a defender during a friendly match between Malmo and Brazil, on May 8 1960, in Malmo. Pele scored two goals as Brazil won 7-1. AFP

The Brazilian striker, wearing his Santos jersey, before playing a friendly match against the French club Racing, on June 13, 1961 in Colombes, in the suburbs of Paris. AFP

In June 1962, in Vina del Mar, a few days before a World Cup quarter-final against England. Pele did not participate in that match and was out for the remainder of the competition after pulling a muscle during the first-round match against Czechoslovakia. AFP

During a break in training, at Selsdon Park Hotel in London, on May 7, 1963. Getty Images

With US politician Robert Kennedy at the Maracana, after Brazil played the Soviet Union, on November 21, 1965. Getty Images

Pele marks the 1,000th goal of his career, on December 12, 1969. Getty Images

The Brazilian striker and Bobby Moore of England exchange shirts after the World Cup Group C game at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico 7 Jun 1970. Brazil won 1-0. Getty Images

Pele shoots during Brazil's match against Czechoslovakia at the 1970 World Cup, in Mexico. Reuters

Holding aloft the trophy after Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final on June 21, 1970. AFP

Pele celebrates after Brazil win the 1970 World Cup, in Mexico. Getty Images

The legend is surrounded by a large crowd, in March 1971, at the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP

Pele introduces French actress Brigitte Bardot to his teammates during a match organised in aid of cancer research in Paris, on April 1, 1971. AFP

A retired Pele coaches Japanese boys at the National Stadium in Tokyo, in November 1974. Getty Images

During a training session with boys, as part of a trip to Thailand, in December 1974. AFP

Embracing former England and Manchester United player Bobby Charlton during the friendly match between Man United and Juventus, in New Jersey, July 2003. Getty Images

Pele scores the equalising goal for the Allied Prisoners Of War, during the match against Germany, in the 1981 film 'Escape to Victory'. Reuters

Diego Maradona is greeted by guest of honour Pele after the Centenary Classic at Wembley in London, in August 1987. Getty Images

Pele is presented with the Greatest Football Player Trophy by George Best, before an American League match between Aztecs and New York Cosmos at the Rose Bowl, in Los Angeles, April 1987. Reuters

Bill Clinton, US president at the time, plays with Pele, in October 1997, during a visit to the Mangueira School in the favela of the same name, in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

Pele in 1992 at an appearance to promote his tie-up with a credit card company that was sponsor of the 1994 World Cup. AFP

Carrying the Olympic Torch out of Maracana Stadium, on Day 10 of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, in Rio De Janiero. The Olympic Flame travelled to 34 cities in 27 countries en route to the Games in Athens. AFP

Pele steps in fresh cement to leave his mark on the path of fame at the Maracana, in June 2000. AFP

During a friendly to celebrate his 50th birthday in Milan, on October 31, 1990. AFP

Pele takes a tour of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in Dubai, on January 16, 2014. AFP

Pele holding a framed picture of a 1973 football match between his former team Santos and UAE club Al Nasr, after receiving it from former players Mohamed Kahoor and Mohammed Al Khous in Dubai, 2014. AFP

Brazilian football legend Pele has died at the age of 82 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Pele, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29, to re-evaluate his colon cancer treatment. He was later diagnosed with a respiratory infection, and was under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions”.

His death was confirmed by his daughter and manager.

He was moved to palliative care after chemotherapy stopped having the expected results.

"Everything we are is because of you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace," his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram.

Pele - whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - had a tumour removed from his colon in September last year and had been receiving hospital treatment on a regular basis.

He passed away peacefully on Thursday, a statement posted to his social media accounts confirmed.

Pele "enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love," read a post on his Instagram account.

"His message today becomes a legacy for future generations."

The former striker, who played for Brazil clubs Santos and New York Cosmos, won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

He burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes.

Injury affected his contribution to the 1962 and 1966 finals, but he returned to lead Brazil to a third triumph in Mexico in 1970 as part of what is widely regarded as the greatest international team of all time.

Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.

Tributes poured in for the football star just minutes after his death was confirmed.

"A mere goodbye to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing," Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.

"An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever. The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance. He will never be forgotten."

"The king of football has left us but his legacy will never forgotten," French striker Kylian Mbappe wrote on Twitter with a photo of the pair.

"Pele was one of the greatest, if not the greatest," wrote European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

"He entertained billions, he introduced generations to the joys of football and showed the world there is no dream too big."

Former Fifa President Sepp Blatter said he was "immensely sad" to hear of his passing.

"The world mourns the greatest footballer in history and a wonderful personality. He celebrated the game like no other."

Pele’s global stardom saw him take on a lead role in the 1981 film Escape to Victory about Allied prisoners of war playing an exhibition football match against the Germans.

It also featured the likes of Hollywood A-listers Sylvester Stallone, Sir Michael Caine and Max Von Sydow as well as fellow players England captain Bobby Moore and Ossie Ardiles, the former Tottenham midfielder who was a World Cup winner with Argentina in 1978.

Ardiles posted a picture of him alongside Pele in the Allied team on Twitter. “The King of Kings has died. Extraordinary player. Unique. 3 times World Cup winner, more than a thousand goals,” he said.

“My idol when young. He made football the beautiful game and truly international. My time playing alongside him in Escape to Victory was a dream come true. RIP Pele.”

Fifa president Gianni Infantino paid a personal tribute to the unique talent of Pele who had “a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped”.

Infantino added on: “His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.

“To his family and friends, to CBF, to Brazil and to all football fans who loved him so much, I express my sincere condolences.

“Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pele, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity.”