PELE has passed away aged 82.The world of football is in mourning with tributes flooding in after it was announced the Brazil icon had died in his homeland.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
Follow ALL of the latest tributes below…
David Beckham tribute
David Beckham has paid his respects to Pele.
Becks wrote alongside a picture of the pair: “It was HIS beautiful game obrigado.”
In A League of His Own
Pele’s staggering goal numbers paint a picture into of his greatness.
While his amount of strikes are disputed by some, he is credited with a world record 1,281 in 1,363 appearances during a 21 year career.
He also scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil.
What is not disputed are his extraordinary three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to achieve this.
The iconic player was a key part of all three victorious teams and often left opponent befuddled with his movement, skill, ball control and fantastic showmanship
Ronaldo tribute
Cristiano Ronaldo wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“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.”
Credit: Instagram
Messi paying respect
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both paid their own emotional tributes on hearing the news that Pele had died.
Argentina’s World Cup winner Lionel Messi posted a picture on Instagram of him with Pele with the message: “Rest in peace, @pele.
Credit: Instagram
‘Eternal Legacy’
Arsenal and Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus has hailed “king” Pele after his death tonight.
The forward posted this earlier on Twitter.
Jesus paid tribute to Pele on Twitter earlier
Pele Funeral ‘comparable to the Queen’
Pele’s wake is set to take place on Monday in Santos, according to reports.
And the Guardian’s Latin American correspondent Tom Phillips reports that the local press are comparing his funeral to the Queen’s passing.
He tweeted: “Brazilian media reporting that Pelé’s wake will be held on Monday at Vila Belmiro stadium in city of Santos, after Lula’s inauguration on Sunday.
“Pelé will be laid to rest at 10am on Tues after a procession. Press comparing funeral planning to Queen’s ‘Operation London Bridge'”.
Wembley lit up
The iconic Wembley arch has been lit up in Brazilian colours to mark the passing of Pele.
Wembley Stadium’s arch is lit up in the colours of Brazil after it was announced that the former Brazilian footballer Pele had died aged 82
‘Football will always belong to you’
German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has joined tributes to Pele.
The former defender said: “Today, football lost the greatest man in its history – and I lost a unique friend. Born in Tres Coracoes, Pelé had three hearts: for football, for his family and for all people. Someone who played with the stars and always stayed down to earth.
“I went to the US in 1977 because I really wanted to play on a team with Pelé at New York Cosmos. This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career. We became champions together right away, and Pelé then just called me his brother.
“It was an unimaginable honour for me. Football will always belong to you! You will always be here. Thank you for your game, O Rei!”
‘He made everything look so easy’
Manchester United legend Denis Law has hailed the skill and talent of Pele.
Law said: “Pele was an unbelievable footballer; he had style, grace, flair and made everything look so easy. The precision in the way he played made him such a joy to watch… more than anything he was a good man with a great presence and a fantastic smile.”
Tributes continue to pour in for Brazilian legend Pele
Pele’s Obituary
The boy who grew up sleeping on a mattress around the kitchen fire, dodging the rain dripping through the roof, was to become arguably the most famous man on the planet, rivalled only by Muhammad Ali.
A man who met with kings, queens, presidents and Popes. Whose mere presence brought about a two-day ceasefire in the Nigerian civil war. And whose dismissal in a match provoked a riot that saw the authorities rescind the sending off to save the referee from a lynching.
Not to mention those mere 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. Most important, though, was what he brought to the fans.
The joy of the game. The artistry and beauty of his skill. The ultimate glories.
Read SunSport’s full obituary on Pele’s extraordinary life here.
‘Wonderful human being’
Manchester United and England legend Bobby Charlton has become the latest to mark the death of Pele.
Charlton, who was a footballing contemporary of the Brazilian great, said: “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.”
New York Cosmos Tribute
Pele only played for two clubs during his entire career – Santos for almost 20 years and a two year stint at New York Cosmos.
He may have only spent two years in America, but New York Cosmos put his impact into perspective with their tribute.
The club said tonight: “In 1975, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos and helped popularize soccer across the United States.
“During three seasons with the Cosmos, Pelé helped transform the domestic landscape of the sport of soccer. The Cosmos and their King not only started a sporting revolution in America, they also traveled the world to spread the Gospel of the Beautiful Game.
“Pelé’s name will forever be synonymous with sporting artistry and genius. His lasting impact on the sport of soccer is inestimable.”
Picture Perfect
There are many brilliant photos of the King of Football Pele but perhaps none more so than the one snapped in 1970.
Having just led Brazil to a World Cup for the third time, the shirtless Pele is lifted onto the shoulders of fans and teammates and hoisted into the air.
Smiling widely and right arm held aloft, Pele looks at his happiest.
Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the 1970 World Cup Final to spark scenes of joy
Brazil pays tribute
Pele was legendary around the world but particularly in his homeland of Brazil where millions will now be mourning.
The Brazilian government have tweeted: “Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it.”
Meanwhile, Brazil’s incoming president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said: “Few Brazilians carried our country’s name so far.
“However different their language was to Portuguese, foreigners from all over the planet always found a way of pronouncing the magic word: ‘Pelé’”
From One Great to Another
Lionel Messi has become the latest footballer to mark the passing of Pele.
Messi wrote on Instagram: “Rest in peace” and share pictures of the two of them together.
Messi and Pele are widely regarded as two of the best players of all time and dominated their respective eras of football.
Messi’s paid tribute to Pele on Instagram
The Football Community Mourns
The death of Pele tonight comes only two years after the passing of Diego Maradona.
The pair were widely regarded as the two greatest players in football before the emergence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
While both were brilliant at club level, they vaulted themselves into legend with performances at World Cups, namely 1958 and 1970 for Pele and 1986 for Maradona.
When the Argentine died in 2020, Pele tweeted: “One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky.”
‘Your words will never leave me’
Jack Wilshere is among the football stars hailing Pele’s greatness tonight.
This was his wonderful tribute on Twitter earlier tonight.
Neymar on his hero
Neymar has taken to Instagram to pay an emotional and powerful tribute to Pele.
The star, who wears no.10 for Brazil and equalised Pele’s scoring record for Brazil at the World Cup, hailed the “King” on social media.
Neymar said: “Before Pelé, “10” was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete.
“I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil.
“Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!”
A League of His Own
Pele’s staggering goal numbers paint a picture into of his greatness.
While his amount of strikes are disputed by some, he is credited with a world record 1,281 in 1,363 appearances during a 21 year career.
He also scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil.
What is not disputed are his extraordinary three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to achieve this.
The iconic player was a key part of all three victorious teams and often left opponent befuddled with his movement, skill, ball control and fantastic showmanship.
Ronaldo pays tribute
Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to the Brazilian great Pele.
He said 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.
“An inspiration to 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 forever in each and every one of us football lovers. Rest in peace King Pelé.”
Cristiano Ronaldo paid a moving tribute to Pele on Instagram
Manchester United pay tribute
Man United have tweeted this tribute this evening following the sad news that Pele has died.
One of footballâs greatest clubs paid tribute to one of footballâs greatest player
‘Heaven FC’
Mesut Özil has shared a touching tribute to Pele after the Brazilian’s death at the age of 82.
The midfielder made reference to Diego Maradona, another legend of football, who passed away in 2020 aged 60.
The former Arsenal star tweeted: “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.”
Rest in Peace
Gary Neville is among the many footballers paying tribute to Pele.
He has tweeted tonight: “rest in peace the legend Pele. What a smile.”
The right-back also shared a picture of them together.
Gary Neville shared this heartwarming photo of himself and Pele on Twitter
Wembley Stadium Tribute
The iconic Wembley arch will be lit up in the colours of the Brazilian flag tonight in a tribute to Pele.
One of the finest players to have ever graced the game, Pele is one of football’s legends and is the only player to win three World Cups.
He has today passed away at the age of 82.
‘A Sporting Legend’
Usain Bolt has hailed “sporting legend” Pele after his death at the age of 82.
The Olympic legend shared a picture of himself with the Brazilian on social media.
100m king Usain Bolt shared this picture with Pele
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