Tributes for Brazilian football legend, Edson Arantes Do Nascimento popularly known as “Pelé”, have begun to pour in from around the world after his death at the age of 82.
The New Diplomat had reported that Pele passed away on Thursday at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo following a battle with cancer.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, in his tribute described Pele as a “magnetic presence” as he praised the Brazil legend’s legacy on football around the world.
“When you were with him, the rest of the world stopped,” said Infantino.
Neymar, who is Brazil’s joint-highest scorer in men’s international football alongside Pele on 77 goals, posted an emotional message following the death of his idol.
“He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is forever. I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment,” Neymar wrote on his official Instagram page.
Cristiano Ronaldo said Pele’s “memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers”.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward wrote on Instagram: “A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.”
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward, Kylian Mbappe has also paid his last respects to Pele.
Mbappe who posted a picture of himself and Pele with the words: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.”
Another PSG forward and Argentine talisman, Lionel Messi simply wrote: “Rest in peace, Pele”.
Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Ronaldo, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, says Pele leaves us as “the greatest of all time”.
“What a privilege to come after you, my friend,” he wrote on social media.
“Your talent is a school every player should go through. His legacy transcends generations. And that’s how you’ll live on. Today and always, we will celebrate you. Thank you, Pele. Rest in peace.”
