Today’s main players, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were some of the internationally renowned athletes who paid tribute to Pelé on social networks, this Thursday (29), after the death of the King of Football.
“Rest in peace”, wrote the Argentine number 10, recently world champion in the Qatar Cup. The publication is accompanied by two photos in which Messi appears with Pelé during the reception of one of his seven Golden Balls.
The post also includes a photo of an iconic celebration of Pelé, in the 1970 World Cup, in which the King appears in Jairzinho’s arms, with his fist clenched and his right arm raised.
Pelé’s last publication in life had been precisely a tribute to Messi for winning the Cup. “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved”, wrote the King.
At the time, Pelé was already admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital, in São Paulo, where he stayed for a month and died this Thursday (29), “due to multiple organ failure, a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition”, according to the unit’s official bulletin.
Cristiano Ronaldo, in turn, published a longer text, in which he says that Pelé is “a reference of yesterday, today, forever”.
“My deep feelings to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that embraces the entire world of football at this moment. An inspiration for so many millions, a reference of yesterday, today, forever”, said the Portuguese striker.
“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 Pelé”, he added. CR7.
Another star of current football, the French striker Kylian Mbappé also published a photo in which he appears next to Pelé. “The King of Football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten”, declared the number 10 of the world runner-up team.
Best player in the world in 2020 and 2021, according to FIFA’s The Best award, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski was another to manifest himself on the networks.
“Rest in peace, champion. The sky has gained a new star, and the world of football has lost a hero”, said the number 9 shirt.
“Anything you’ve seen any player do, Pele has done before. Rest in peace,” wrote Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, current top scorer in the Premier League for Manchester City.
The Brazilian Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid striker, revealed to have received messages of affection and motivation from the King.
“I read and kept all the messages you sent me. When you supported me in a delicate moment or when you celebrated my achievements. What an honor, to have honored you in the celebration of my first goal in the World Cup. Pride defines.”, published the national team player .
Elected six times as the best soccer player in the world, the Brazilian Marta said that Pelé showed the world the unique power of “promotion, mobilization and engagement” of soccer.
Big names from the past also made a point of registering their condolences and paying tribute to Pelé on social media.
Former striker Ronaldo, twice world champion for the Brazilian national team in 1994 and 2002, listed several compliments to Pelé: “Unique. Genius. Technician. Creative. Perfect. Unparalleled”.
“Without ever having left the top, he leaves us today. The king of football – only one. The greatest of all time”, added the Phenomenon.
Former striker Romário said that Pelé “made the world bow before his talent, taking Brazilian football to the altar of the gods”.
Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, world champion as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990, said he lost “a unique friend”, while football lost “the greatest in its history”.
“I went to the United States in 1977 because I really wanted to play on a team with Pelé”, wrote the Kaiser, referring to the New York Cosmos, where he played with the King for one season.
“That time with him was one of the greatest experiences of my career. We won the American championship at the first attempt and Pelé called me his white brother. It was an unimaginable honor for me. Football will always be yours, my friend! You will always remain. Thank you for your game King!” he added.
Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, Brazil’s executioner in the 1998 and 2006 World Cups, also paid homage. “Eternal King Pelé”, published the former shipowner, in Portuguese.
The official profile of former Argentine playmaker Diego Maradona, who died in November 2020, also published a photo in honor of Pelé. The image accompanies the signature of the King, with his year of birth (1940) and the mathematical symbol that represents infinity.
Another former best in the world, the Brazilian Rivaldo recalled the pride of having worn Pelé’s number 10 in two editions of the World Cup. He was runner-up in 1998 and champion in the following edition, in 2002.
Captain in winning the fifth championship, former defender Cafu said that Pelé “just left the world of things that have an end”.
Current coach of the women’s national football team, the Swedish Pia Sundhage said she was an unconditional fan of Pelé and recalled the King’s remarkable passage through his country, in the 1958 World Cup, when the star was only 17 years old and became world champion against the hosts .
“Pelé was and will be one of my greatest idols. As a Swede, I read about the 1958 World Cup, when we were so close to winning, but his talent made history. The best ever. Thanks for everything, the world will miss you !” lamented Pia.
The coach also revealed that she even adopted the name Pelé at the beginning of her career, to overcome prejudice.
“When I was 6 years old, I wasn’t allowed to play ball, so we tried to mask that somehow. Instead of calling me Pia, my coach suggested they change my name to Pelle, which would suggest the name of a boy. At that time, I only understood that they called me ‘Pelé’. So, this is my story when I started playing football”, he added in a statement to the CBF website.
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