GLOBAL figures cutting across sports, Hollywood and politics have paid tribute to the late football great Pele.
The Brazilian legend died last night in a hospital in Sao Paulo after a battle with colon cancer.
The three-time World Cup winner and the most prolific footballer in history was aged 82.
Leading the tributes to the ‘King’ were present-day superstars of the sport Pele gave global appeal.
Lionel Messi, who recently led Argentina to the World Cup title and is hailed as one of the greatest footballers of all time, shared a simple message, writing “Rest in peace, Pelé” in Spanish.
Messi’s rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has more international goals than any other player in history, wrote: “A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that currently embraces the entire world of football.
“An inspiration for so many millions. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pelé.”
Kylian Mbappe, who Pele has often hailed as his ‘friend’, also had a parting message for football’s first real superstar.
“The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten,” wrote the Frenchman who, like Pele, scored a World Cup final hat-trick in Qatar.
Pele’s compatriot Neymar, who is the current custodian of Brazil’s iconic No.10 jersey, penned an emotional message.
“Before Pelé, ‘10’ was just a number,” Neymar wrote in Portuguese on his Instagram account. “I read that phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But that sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pelé, football was just a sport.
“Pelé changed everything. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people and especially: Gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will remain.”
Former Super Eagles forward, the legendary Nwankwo Kanu, wrote, along with a picture of himself and Pele: “Pele #thegreatest. RIP.”
Franz Beckenbauer, the German great who led his country to World Cup titles both as a player and coach, hailed Pele.
“Football lost the greatest in its history today — and I a unique friend,” he said.
“Born in Três Corações, Pelé had three hearts: for football, for his family, for all people. One who played with the stars and always remained grounded. In 1977, I went to the US.
“Because I really wanted to play in a team with Pelé at the New York Cosmos. That time by his side was one of the greatest moments of my career. We became US champions together, and Pelé called me his brother from that moment. It was an unimaginable honour for me.”
Sir Bobby Charlton, who won the 1966 World Cup with England, paid tribute to the legend.
“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,” the England and Manchester United great wrote.
Another former star Gary Lineker, who starred and top scored for England at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, added to the glowing tributes.
“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,” Lineker tweeted.
“Three 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.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino tweeted:
“For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé.”
Outside of football, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar wrote: “A great loss to not just football but to the whole world of sports. There will never be another!
Your legacy will live on forever.
Rest in Peace Pele!”
Hollywood actress Kerry Washington simply tweeted: “Rest in Peace, legend.”
“I had the privilege that younger Brazilians didn’t have: I saw Pelé play, live, at Pacaembu and Morumbi,” tweeted Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who will be inaugurated on Sunday.
“Play, no. I saw Pelé give a show. Because when he got the ball he always did something special, which often ended up in a goal.”
In the US, President Biden and former president Barack Obama also had words of praise for the great man.
“For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pelé’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible,” Biden tweeted.
“Today, Jill and I’s thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.”
“Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game,” Obama tweeted, sharing a photo of himself holding a signed Brazil jersey with the Brazilian icon.
“And as one of the most recognisable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together.”
Comments are closed.