Tributes flood in for Brazilian icon Pele following his death aged 82

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Tributes flood in for Brazilian icon Pele following his death aged 82
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Three-time World Cup winner Pele - widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time - has died at the age of 82.

The Brazilian icon passed away in Sao Paulo following a battle with colon cancer which saw him spend the final month of his illustrious life in hospital.

The game's first global superstar burst onto the international scene as a teenage World Cup winner in 1958 and was still at the peak of his powers when arguably the greatest team of all time were crowned world champions again 12 years later.

Following the former Santos stalwart's death, tributes have been flooding in from throughout the footballing world as they remember a man who remains for many above the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up just some of the tributes that have been paid to the great man from the football world.

BRAZIL

SANTOS

NEYMAR

"Before Pele, '10' was only a number. I read this phrase somewhere, sometime in my life. But this phrase, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pele, football was solely a sport. Pele changed everything.

"He transformed football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to black people, and most importantly: He gave visibility to Brazil.

"Football and Brazil elevated their status thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will stay. Pele is eternal!!"

CRISTIANO RONALDO

"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 currently embraces the entire world of football.

"An inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever. The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance.

"He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele."

LIONEL MESSI

"Rest in peace, Pele."

KYLIAN MBAPPE

ERLING BRAUT HAALAND

ENGLAND

THE FA

"Everyone who loves football, loves Pele. His unique talent lit up the game, and inspired football.

"Our thoughts are with his family, the Brazil Football Confederation and the Brazilian people."

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

FIFA

FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

"For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé. 'O Rei' was unique in so many ways. He was the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times and his skill and imagination were incomparable.

"Pelé did things that no other player would even dream of, such as the famous dummy in the 1970 FIFA World Cup semi-final that became known as the 'Pelé run-around'. Or the goal he scored in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final as a 17-year-old when he flicked the ball over a defender and volleyed it into the net.

"The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport, and is etched into our history. In fact, because televised football was still in his infancy at the time, we only saw small glimpses of what he was capable of.

"Most importantly, "The King" rose the throne with a smile on his face. Football could be brutal in those days, and Pelé was often on the receiving end of some rough treatment. But, while he knew how to stand up for himself, he was always an exemplary sportsman, with genuine respect for his opponents.

"I had the great privilege of meeting him in several occasions. In 2016, already as FIFA President, we were side by side for the premiere of Pelé's movie, which reminded me of when I sat next to my father in 1981 when he brought me to watch 'Escape to Victory' in which Pelé starred alongside Sylvester Stallone and other famous actors.

"I was 11 years old and my father told me what a great player Pelé was. The fantastic goal he scored in that movie was the only way, at that time, to have a glimpse of his incredible skills. The moments spent with him will forever remain in my memory and in my heart.

"Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.

"To his family and friends, to CBF, to Brazil and to all football fans who loved him so much, I express my sincere condolences.

"Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity."

UEFA

PREMIER LEAGUE

WELSH FA

SIR GEOFF HURST

GARY LINEKER

HARRY KANE

DENIS LAW

RICHARLISON

NEW YORK COSMOS

"During three seasons with the Cosmos, Pelé helped transform the domestic landscape of the sport of soccer.

"Where once there had been baseball diamonds, now there were also soccer pitches.

"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, representing the world's most global city at the global game...

"Pelé's name will forever be synonymous with sporting artistry and genius. His lasting impact on the sport of soccer is inestimable.

"Rest in peace, O Rei."

RIO FERDINAND

JAMIE CARRAGHER

GARY NEVILLE

OSSIE ARDILES

USAIN BOLT

BARACK OBAMA

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