Brazil forward Neymar has led tributes to the “eternal” Pele as the world of football mourns the legendary forward’s death at the age of 82.
The only player to win the World Cup three times and widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele scored a record 77 goals for his country – matched only by Neymar – and was credited with scoring over 1,200 goals over the course of his career (though that number has since been disputed).
“Before Pele, ’10’ was just a number,” Neymar wrote. “I read that phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But that sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele 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. Pele is eternal.”
Cristiano Ronaldo added on Instagram: “‘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 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.”
France striker Kylian Mbappe, who in 2018, became the youngest player since Pele to score in a World Cup final, wrote on Twitter: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.”
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“He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to,” Lineker wrote. “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.”
England World Cup winner Geoff Hurst, who played in the 1970 tournament which became synonymous with the Brazilian legend, added: “I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside).
“For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.”
Wembley’s arches were lit up in gold and green colours, while current Premier League stars including Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford described him as a “legend” and a “king”.
When news of his deteriorating health emerged during the Qatar World Cup, Brazil’s players paid their own tribute, walking onto the pitch with a banner featuring their joint highest goalscorer of all time.
In their own tribute on Wednesday, Pele’s family said: “On his journey, he enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.
“His message today becomes a legacy for future generations.”
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