• Prince William and Kate Middleton honor Pelé, who died Thursday
• The three-time World Cup champion died in So Paulo after colon cancer progressed.
• Prince William is a soccer aficionado and FAE president.

Prince William and Kate Middleton honor Pelé, who died Thursday at 82.

Prince and Princess of Wales, both 40, retweeted Team England’s homage to the sports hero. The three-time World Cup champion died in So Paulo after colon cancer progressed.

“Honoring a football legend. Pelé, r.i.p “The retweet captioned a photo of Wembley Stadium’s homage. The arch of the famed London theatre was illuminated up in yellow and green, the Brazilian flag and national team’s outfits, as Pelé’s name, birth and death years, and portrait flashed on TV screens.

Prince is a soccer aficionado and FAE president. His grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, presented Pelé and the Santos squad with the trophy in 1968. Pelé lifts the cup over his head as the Queen (then 42) and Prince Philip smile.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in Tres Coracoes, Brazil, on Oct. 23, 1940.

He played for Santos and Brazil for nearly 20 years, becoming the game’s top scorer. His accomplishment earned him the nickname “The King,” and his celebration leap, with his fist raised above his head, became iconic.

Pelé was named after mispronouncing Bilé, a goaltender on his father’s squad.

He retired on Oct. 1, 1977, nearly two years after joining the New York Cosmos. His final match, between the Cosmos and Santos, drew a record 77,000 soccer spectators in New Jersey.

Pelé played half of each game to recognise his long career.

Pelé’s six children and wife, Marcia Cibele Aoki, survive him.

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