Pelé, Charismatic Master of the “Beautiful Game,” Dies at 82

Pelé, the Brazilian national treasure who in the 1960s and ’70s made soccer popular in places on the planet that hadn’t yet embraced “the beautiful game” — in particular the U.S. — has died. He was 82.An unequaled hero of futbol, Pelé died Thursday, his agent told the Associated Press, after he was hospitalized for the past month. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021.Pelé burst onto the international stage during the 1958 World Cup tournament, where he scored three goals in a semifinal match and two more in the final at the age of 17, capping a brilliant and emotional victory for the Brazil national team. He would win two more World Cup titles before joining the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League in 1975.He remains the only player in history to play on three world champion teams, an...