BREAKING: Brazil Football Legend 'Pele' Has Died In São Paulo, At Age 82.

 Pelé, one of football’s greatest players and a transformative figure in 20th-century sports, has died on Thursday in São Paulo. He was aged 82.

His death, in a hospital, was confirmed by his manager, Joe Fraga.

A national hero in his native Brazil, Pelé was beloved around the world — by the very poor, among whom he was raised; the very rich, in whose circles he traveled; and just about everyone who ever saw him play.

The 82-year-old was hospitalised in November after symptoms of bowel cancer, of which he was diagnosed with last September, worsened. Reports later surfaced that he had been transferred to end-of-life care at a hospital in Sao Paulo.

Despite this, Pele himself confirmed that he was doing well and was in good spirits, much to the delight of the footballing world.

However, a statement released last week from the Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele has been receiving care since his hospitalisation, confirmed that his condition has worsened due to issues with renal and cardiac dysfunction.

There was been no update since on his health, but his daughter Kelly Nascimento took to Instagram to express her sadness at the situation, which saw her father spend Christmas in hospital.

He is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.

The only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was named Fifa's Player of the Century in 2000.