Tributes have poured in from the football world following the death of one of the game’s greatest ever players, Pele.
One of the most legendary footballers in history, Pele won three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He also went on to become Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer with 77 goals in 92 appearances – a record that Neymar only recently equalled.
The club with whom Pele spent his entire career in Brazil – Santos – tweeted a picture of a crown with the message ‘eterno’, which translates as ‘eternal’, after his family announced his passing.
Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
Whatever the figures, there is in no doubting his influence on football, as his talent redefined what was possible on the pitch.
Current Brazil star Neymar, who equalled Pele’s international goalscoring record at the World Cup in Qatar, led the tributes as he posted an emotional message on social media.
The Paris Saint-German forward wrote on Instagram: “Before Pele, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point.
“But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say before Pele football was just a sport. Pele has changed it all.
“He turned football into art, into entertainment. Gave voice to the poor, blacks and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil.
“Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King. He’s gone but his magic remains.
“Pele is FOREVER.”
14Neymar paid an emotional tribute to Pele
Another Brazilian legend, Ronaldo, also paid an emotional tribute.
He said: “Unique. Cool. Technical. Creative. Perfect. One of a kind. Where Pele arrived, he stayed. Without ever leaving the top, he leaves us today. The king of football – only one The greatest of all time.
“The world of mourning. The sadness of parting mixed with the immense pride of the written history.
“What a privilege to come after you my friend Your talent is a school every player should go through. Your legacy will transcend generations. And that’s how it will stay alive. Today and always, we celebrate you.
“Thank you, Pelé. Rest in peace.”
GETTY14Pele is the only player to have won three World Cups
France World Cup winner and Neymar’s PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe, also posted a message on Instagram, writing: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.”
Argentina’s World Cup winner Lionel Messi posted a picture on Instagram too of him with Pele with the message: “Rest in peace, Pele.”
Cristiano Ronaldo also shared a picture of him receiving an award from Pele and wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that currently embraces the entire world of football.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever. The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
INSTAGRAM @CRISTIANORONALDO14Ronaldo was a huge admirer of the Brazilian
14Mbappe shared a picture of him and Pele on Twitter
INSTAGRAM @LEOMESSI14Messi also paid tribute
The official England Twitter account posted a picture of Pele exchanging shirts with Bobby Moore after their meeting at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, while the Football Association lit up the Wembley arch in Brazil colours as a tribute.
Sir Bobby Charlton played against Pele at the World Cup and said in a statement released by his former club Manchester United: “Pele was a truly magical footballer and a wonderful human being.
“It was an honour to have shared a pitch with him and I send my sincerest condolences to his family, friends and the Brazilian people.”
Sir Geoff Hurst, the hat-trick hero of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team, tweeted: “I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside).
“For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.”
Current England captain Harry Kane also paid tribute on Twitter. “Pele was a true inspiration and one of the greatest to ever play the game. Rest in peace,” the Tottenham forward wrote.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino penned a lengthy tribute to the Brazil legend.
He wrote: “I am heart-broken to learn that we have lost Pelé, the Athlete of the Century.
“Today is a truly tragic day for football and The Beautiful Game, as he called it, will never be the same again. Pelé was unique in so many ways.
“He scored more than 1,000 goals over the course of his career and was the only player to have won the World Cup three times. The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport, and it is etched into our history.”
Gary Lineker also tweeted, saying: “Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men.
“He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt.
“He may have left us but he’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele.”
England and Manchester United star Marcus Rashford wrote: “Rest easy king.” While England and Chelsea star Raheem Sterling added: “RIP Legend.”
Chelsea legend John Terry shared a broken heart emoji on social media upon hearing the news, before Michael Owen tweeted with a tribute of his own.
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton also took to Twitter, saying: “I’m so sad to hear of the loss of Pele. He was the greatest footballer ever!
“A true gentleman on and off the pitch. RIP the greatest football legend of all time.”
Pele’s achievements on the football field transcended the game.
Former US President Barack Obama said as one of the most recognisable athletes in the world that Pele “understood the power of sports in uniting people”.
Jamaican former sprinter Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist, wrote on Twitter: “A Sporting Legend. Rest in Peace King Pele.”
TWITTER14Bolt called Pele ‘a sporting legend’
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola paid tribute to the icon in his press conference on Friday.
He said: “On behalf of Manchester City, the biggest condolences for his family and friends.
“Football is football thanks to these types of people.
“Neymar said a great sentence when he said before No10 was just a number and after it became something special. Every top player wanted to wear No10 in their team.
“What he has done for football is there and always will remain.”
Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil posted: “Rest in peace to one of the greatest legends of the game. Your legacy will live forever.
“I’m sure ‘Heaven FC’ with Maradona and Pele together will be invincible forever.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Ian Rush described the Brazilian as ‘an icon and a true great of the game’.
European football’s governing body UEFA said: “Tonight, we join fans the world over in mourning Pele, one of football’s all-time greatest players.
“He was the first global superstar of the game and played a pioneering role in football’s rise to become the world’s most popular sport. Rest in peace, Pele.”
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte also paid tribute to Pele and insisted the three-time World Cup winner was possibly the most popular footballer in history.
He said: “About Pele, we are talking about one of the most important players in the world. We are talking about the story of football.
“I was lucky to know him and honestly I am really sad for his death. Also because Pele was a person who was an important person for football. One of the most popular. Maybe the most popular player in football.
“His behaviour, it was always a person who lived without arrogance and showed always to be a humble person despite, in my opinion with (Diego) Maradona being the best players in the world.
“I take this press conference to send my condolences to his family from me, the players and the club. For sure we are really sad for this news.”
Conte went on to reveal Pele was his father’s idol, adding: “The first person who spoke to me about Pele was my father because my father was in love with Pele.
“For him, he was the best player in the world and many times he spoke about him. Then I watched some games he played and especially the final of the World Cup and some situations it was incredible what he did with the ball.
“The memories are this. For sure if I have to compare Pele with Maradona, it is different because about Pele I listened and had my father and watched through the TV his quality and he was an amazing player.
“About Maradona, I had the opportunity to play against him and to see and to touch his ability. I repeat, Pele for my father was the best footballer in the world and I grew my childhood with this figure.”
Source: talksport.com
