AN incredible video shows Pele as the genius who invented the amazing skills that football’s top players have been trying to master for the last 70 years.
The legendary Brazilian passed away in hospital yesterday aged 82.
Pele was widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, playing a huge role in growing the popularity of the game in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.
In an amazing clip posted on social media, the three-time World Cup winner could be seen performing amazing tricks in his heyday that would later be repeated by more recent stars including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
The video begins with Pele chopping inside during a match, with Ronaldo performing an extremely similar move while playing for Real Madrid decades later.
It then shows legendary late Dutchman Johan Cruyff performing the “Cruyff turn” so famously named after him, before also featuring Pele using the same trick in black and white.
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In the video, Pele then shows eerily similar footwork to that of Andres Iniesta, before performing a rabona pass.
A clip of Neymar flicking the ball over a defender’s head is then followed by Pele doing the same thing a number of times, both with his feet and even his thigh.
It then shows the football icon showing similar quick footwork to Zinedine Zidane to set up a shot, as well as an amazing overhead kick reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He could lob the goalkeeper like Messi, and leave a defender trailing in his wake with a shimmy like Neymar.
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Pele is also shown flicking the ball like Ronaldinho, getting away from his marker like Diego Maradona and nut-megging an opponent like Brazilian Ronaldo.
The video also shows off his remarkable array of free-kicks – with left AND right feet – featuring goals he scored in the styles of Cristiano, Messi and Roberto Carlos.
Captioning the video, one fan wrote: “Pele did it first.”
Another gushed: “I had the pleasure of watching this icon in person.”
A third poignantly added: “The teacher of all.”
Pele managed to perform his skills in an era of dodgy pitches, heavy balls and far toughter tackles – with clips of him being fouled showing he didn’t get an easy ride.
And fans have been paying tribute in their millions, with Christ the Redeemer being lit up in green and three days of national mourning announced.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the football stars to have paid tribute to Pele.
Messi posted a picture on Instagram of himself with Pele alongside the message: “Rest in peace, @pele.”
While Ronaldo 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 the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever.
“The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
Pele – all you need to know about Brazil icon
PELE was widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever.
Here is all the info you need on the soccer titan, who has passed away aged 82.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
