PARIS (CMC) – The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says it is “deeply saddened” over the death of football legend Pelé.

The Brazilian football icon, who many regarded as the greatest player of all time, died in a hospital in Sao Paulo at 82.

He had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since last year.

UNESCO, which champions the power of sports across the world, tweeted on Thursday that it was “deeply saddened” at Pelé’s passing, and extended condolences to the Brazilian people and the wider “football family”.

In a message on social media, the organisation said that Pelé had “worked relentlessly to promote sport as a tool for peace. He will be greatly missed.”

As a 17-year-old, Pelé won his first football or soccer World Cup, in 1958, going on to lift the top trophy in the game a further two times, in 1962 and 1970 and scored a world record 1,281 goals, playing in 1,363 games during his professional career, which began when he was just 15.

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, in 1940, the football giant, nicknamed, “the Black Pearl”, and “the King”, retired from the game in 1977.

In 1999, it said the Santos player and Brazil’s most venerated star, was voted player of the century in a poll of previous Ballon d’Or winners – the players who win the annual global football award for being the outstanding performers that year.

The UN said Pelé “devoted considerable time in retirement” to supporting the UN and its work, both as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and as a UNESCO Champion for Sport, from 1994.

He was also appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the crucial UN Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, one of the first major global development and environment summits devoted to a more sustainable future for all, the UN said.

At the time, the Secretary-General of the Summit, Maurice Strong, described Pelé as not only the greatest footballer in the world but as “a universal man”, rooted in Brazil.

“His commitment to people, to the planet, really distinguishes him as a true citizen of our earth”, Strong told reporters.

In a tweet, the head of UN refugee agency, UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, wrote that “we are all with the people of Brazil” tonight, “celebrating a man who made millions of kids dream across continents and generations.”

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) on Thursday offered “sincere condolences to the family and friends of Brazilian football legend Pelé.

“Pelé was one of the greatest players of all time,” Concacaf said. “He inspired players and fans of his and future generations, and brought joy to everyone who watched him play. The global football family will remember him as a true icon of the game,” it added. “RIP (Rest in Peace) Pelé.”