By Omotayo Edubi
There have been outpouring of tributes from footballers, clubs, politicians and the sporting world for the late Brazilian football icon and legend, Pele, who died on Thursday at age 82.
Pele, a three-time World Cup winner battled with cancer until his death.
The tributes lauded his contributions and stressing that his memory will live on as long as football is played.
Here are some of the tributes gathered by The Quest Times.
@roger_milla_9 said, “It was a pleasure to share this passion with you my Friend, Rest in Peace Legend.”
@lukamodric10 said, “O Rei. One of the greatest of all time. You will be a legend forever. RIP Pele.”
@yadavakhilesh; “Rest in peace, King #Pele. Thank you for inspiring generations of footballers around the world”.
@nurisahin; “The man that changed the game forever. More than a player. Thank you for sharing your smile and talent with us. Rest in peace”.
@ghanafaofficial; “We are saddened by the demise of Brazilian and World Football legend Pele. Our condolences to the Brazilian Football Federation, all Brazilians and to all football-loving fans across the World. May Pele forever rest in his glory”.
@Mohanlal; “Farewell to the king.. May your soul rest in eternal peace. Your contagious game spirit and the legacy it leaves behind will continue inspiring millions to play the game.
“Joining the world in mourning the loss of this legend”.
@YUVSTRONG12; “Thank you for everything #Legend. You will be missed forever. A three time world-cup winning footballer and a timeless beauty on the field. You were the reason millions started playing the game. Rest in peace the #GOAT #Pele”.
@RahulGandhi; “Football has lost one of its greatest ambassadors. Pele was amongst the rare breed of sportsmen – legend both on and off the field.
“My condolences to his family and fans across the world”.
@ajaydevgn; “I join the rest of the world in grieving for the Football Legend Pele. He was synonymous with the sport that the world continues to be enamoured with. May the Legend’s soul find eternal peace. Wherever football is played, your mention will always come”.
@tnrags; “Dear Pele, Brazilian government was wrong to declare you a national treasure; you belonged to us all. By just being around, you made football lovers feel calmer, happier & prouder. No one had a more meaningful right foot & a more lyrical nickname. And, no king was loved more”.
Neymar wrote on Instagram; “Before Pele, football was only a sport.
“Pele changed everything. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people.
“Mainly, he gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil raised their status thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will remain.”
France striker and Neymar’s Paris St-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe also described Pele as “the king of football”, adding “his legacy will never be forgotten”.
Pele scored a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.
He is the only footbller to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000.
Cristiano Ronaldo said: “A mere goodbye to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that is enveloping the whole of the football world right now.
“The care he always showed for me was reciprocated in every moment we shared, even when we were apart.
“His memory will endure forever in every one of us who love football.”
Brazil striker Ronaldo said: “Unique. Genius. Technical. Creative. Perfect. Unequalled. Where Pele has gone, he has stayed. Never having left the top, he leaves us today. The king of football – one and only. The greatest of all time.”
President of the United States Joe Biden said: “For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pele’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible.”
Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro said: “Sorrow for the passing of a man who through football took the name of Brazil to the world. He turned football into art and joy.”
President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: “I had the privilege that younger Brazilians didn’t have: I saw Pele play, live, at Pacaembu and Morumbi. Play, no. I saw Pele give a show. Because when he got the ball he always did something special, which often ended up in a goal.”
President of football’s world governing body FIFA, Gianni Infantino said he was “heartbroken” on “a truly tragic day for football” and described Pele as “the athlete of the century”.
“He had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. Today, the whole world mourns the loss of Pele; the greatest footballer of all time.”
Richarlison, one of several current Brazil players who paid tribute, described Pele as football’s “most beautiful chapter” and said he “changed the history of the game forever”.
Richarlison continued: “You will always be the greatest because 60 years ago, with all the difficulties you faced, you did what only a few have managed to do today.”
England’s World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst said Pele was “without doubt the best footballer I ever played against”, adding: “I was proud to be on the pitch with him.”
Fellow 1966 champion Sir Bobby Charlton hailed Pele as “a truly magical footballer and a wonderful human being”.
Pele’s former club Santos posted a picture of a crown with the word “eternal”.
Pele’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup-winning team-mate Mario Zagallo said: “My friend of so many victories, titles and shared stories. He leaves an eternal, unforgettable legacy.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker said Pele will “always have footballing immortality” as “the most divine of footballers and joyous of men”.
Ex-Brazil defender and World Cup winner Cafu said: “Pele dies, this news is not accurate … Pele will never die. Pele will never leave us. Pele will never cease to exist. Pele is eternal, Pele is King, Pele is unique… he just went to rest a little bit.”
The Football Association will light up the Wembley arch in Brazil colours and said: “Everyone who loves football, loves Pele.”
Eight-time Olympic champion in athletics Usain Bolt also paid tribute, describing Pele as “a sporting legend”.
The Twitter account of Brazil’s government described Pele as “our mighty Brazilian hero” who will be “immortalised by his genius”.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture of what appeared to be Pele’s family’s hands on his body in hospital and wrote: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
The Brazilian Football Confederation described him as “much more than the greatest sportsperson of all time”.
A statement said: “The King gave us a new Brazil and we are so thankful for his legacy.”
Pele’s official Instagram account said he had “spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love”.