Pele Death News Live Updates: Tributes Pour in from Footballers, Sportspersons, World Leaders

Football is in mourning, says former teammate

Pepe: "The whole world knew the seriousness of Pele's illness... But mainly we, the closest and most intimate, had more contact with him and his family. "We hoped that the illness would be reversed, and the 'King of the Ball', the greatest of all, would return with his happy smile and his constant good humour. But it wasn't possible. Pele left us, and with him [goes] the eternal memory of the greatest footballer of all time. Rest in peace, King Pele, my great friend. Football is in mourning."

PM Modi condoles demise of Pele

The passing away of Pelé leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of sports. A global football superstar, his popularity transcends boundaries. His outstanding sporting performances and success will keep inspiring the coming generations. Condolences to his family and fans. RIP.

Luka Modric reacts to Pele's demise!

O Rei. One of the greatest of all time. You will be a legend forever. RIP Pele 👑🙏 pic.twitter.com/BU9JIw4Djr

— Luka Modrić (@lukamodric10) December 30, 2022

Sand Art pays tribute to Pele

Sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo paid tribute to legendary footballer Pele by carving a beautiful sculpture of the Brazilian icon at Puri beach in Odisha. The artist took four hours to craft the 15-foot wide sand sculpture of the footballer with the message "A Hero Never Dies ! Long live Pele !”.

Goodbye Legend! You and your game will be missed always. Heartfelt condolences to family, friends and fans. #RestInPeace #Pele pic.twitter.com/fXVRJaoYuu

— Bhaichung Bhutia (@bhaichung15) December 30, 2022

Barack Obama hailed Pele

Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him.

Pele was god to us: Bhaichung Bhutia

"I had an opportunity to interview him for a summit talk in Delhi. He was such a wonderful, down-to-earth person, spoke to me close to 40 minutes," Bhaichung Bhutia recalled in an interaction with PTI. "The conversation was more on football, his life and a bit on Indian football. He had a great sense of humour. I asked him about his India trip, but he could not remember where and which city he played and what was the outcome. Because of the age, alright." "He was a true king and God for us. He was such a humble, soft person. Definitely, it's a big, big loss for football and the fraternity. "He is one of the greatest players cum administrators we had. He was such a great role model on and off the field. He inspired millions and millions."

When Pele visited India

Pele made a visit to Kolkata in 1977 to play an exhibition match, that started the tryst of the city of joy with the beautiful game. Playing against Mohun Bagan on a slushy and jam-packed Eden Gardens on September 24, 1977 in the twilight of his career, the three-time World Cup winner was overwhelmed by the depth of talent a "little-known" Indian club possessed.

Brazil declares three days of mourning

Brazil declares three days of mourning for football legend Pele. According to Brazilian news portal G1, a decree signed by outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reads, "Official mourning declared throughout the country, for a period of three days, counted from date of publication of this Decree, as a sign of regret for the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele, a former football player."

TN CM pays tribute to Pele

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also joined the world to mourn the death of Pele. The TN CM tweeted, "#Pele was not just the #TheKing of Football, but also, unarguably, one of the most influential personalities of the 20th century who inspired millions. The #BlackPearl will always remain an icon of the game in every sense. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy."

Sachin Tendulkar pays tribute to Pele

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar paid his tribute to the Brazil great with a tweet that read: "A great loss to not just football but to the whole world of sports. There will never be another! Your legacy will live on forever. Rest in Peace Pele!"

A great loss to not just football but to the whole world of sports. There will never be another!
Your legacy will live on forever.
Rest in Peace Pele! ♥️ ⚽ pic.twitter.com/Nv0CFQVEpf

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 30, 2022

Pele Did It All

The Brazilian great did it all before any on-field skill was showcased by footballers that followed.

Pelé vinha do futuro, o MAIOR, MELHOR e não tem jeito.

Que vídeo foda. pic.twitter.com/C5oOI0TBIS

— memes futebolisticos. - vito (@Mfutebolisticos) November 20, 2021

Yuvraj hails Pele

Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, tweeted, "Thank you for everything #Legend. You will be missed forever. A three-time world-cup winning footballer and a timeless beauty on the field. You were the reason millions started playing the game. Rest in peace the #GOAT #Pele".

Thank you for everything #Legend. You will be missed forever. A three time world-cup winning footballer and a timeless beauty on the field. You were the reason millions started playing the game. Rest in peace the #GOAT #Pele pic.twitter.com/sd3QptqaQc

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 30, 2022

AIFF General Secretary mourns Pele's demise

AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran mourned Pele's demise, and tweeted, "Generations have grown up idolising a legend like #Pele, watching glimpses of his magic on the pitch. They even stopped a war just so that people could watch him play. The King truly embodied the spirit of the game, and memories will keep enriching us for generations. #RIP."

Gianni Infantino: Brazil great "achieved immortality"

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the Brazil great "achieved immortality" after his death. Infantino joined a plethora of players, clubs and sporting organisations to offer their kind recollections. "For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pele," Infantino wrote in a statement published by FIFA. "'O Rei' [The King] was unique in so many ways. He was the only player to have won the World Cup three times and his skill and imagination were incomparable. "Pele did things that no other player would even dream of, such as the famous dummy in the 1970 World Cup semi-final that became known as the Pele run-around."

Thiago Silva labels Pele 'forever the king of football'

Thiago Silva, the Chelsea centre-back tweeted, "Forever the king of football, the Legend! Rest in peace, Pele. You have changed the history of football. Your legacy will always be in our hearts. Thanks for everything!"

Brazil Football mourns Pele's demise

He may no longer be with us, but he made Brazil known globally and forever impacted the game of football. His legacy will never be forgotten. RIP King 🙏🏽

He may no longer be with us, but he made Brazil known globally and forever impacted the game of football. His legacy will never be forgotten.

RIP King 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/PYTkmqK3it

— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) December 29, 2022

Dembele hails Pele

French footballer Mousa Dembele paid tribute to The King!

Rip King 👑 pic.twitter.com/LYQkz6NTSd

— Moussa Dembélé (@MDembele_10) December 29, 2022

Ravi Shastri pays tribute to Pele

Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri claimed Pele's death as an irreplaceable loss to the sporting world. Shastri tweeted, "Irreplaceable loss to the sporting world.The heartbeat of football. A magician who mesmerized and inspired generations! A proper Legend #Pele 💔 RIP King."

R9 pays tribute to Pele

Carlos Ronaldo - another Brazil great and former Real Madrid and Barcelona forward - paid tribute to the “greatest of all time”. Ronaldo wrote on social media: “Unique. Great. Technical. Creative. Perfect. Unequalled. “Where Pele came, he stayed. Never left the top, he leaves us today. The king of football - one. The greatest of all time. The world of mourning. The sadness of the farewell mixed with the immense pride of written history. “What a privilege to come after you, my friend. Your talent is a school every player should go through. His legacy transcends generations. And that's how you're going to get on with it. “Today and always, we will celebrate you. Thank you, Pele. Rest in peace.” Another Brazil legend, Roberto Carlos, also paid tribute.

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IOC President Thomas Bach Reacts on Pele's death

"With Pelé’s passing, the world has lost a great sporting icon. As I could experience myself, he was a true believer in the Olympic values and a proud carrier of the Olympic flame. It was a privilege to present the Olympic Order to him."

"With Pelé’s passing, the world has lost a great sporting icon. As I could experience myself, he was a true believer in the Olympic values and a proud carrier of the Olympic flame. It was a privilege to present the Olympic Order to him."

- IOC President Thomas Bach /1 pic.twitter.com/YHvTGlyU5x

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) December 29, 2022

Nadal mourns Pele's death

Today a great world sport is going again. A sad day for the world of football, for the world of sport. His legacy will always remain. I didn't see him play, I wasn't that lucky, but they always taught me and told me that he was the King of football.

Hoy se vuelve a ir un grande del deporte mundial. Un día triste para el mundo del fútbol, para el mundo del deporte. Su legado siempre quedará.

No le vi jugar, no tuve esa suerte, pero siempre me enseñaron y me dijeron que fue el Rey del fútbol.

DEP #ORei #Pele 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/E4mKdu8gBt

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 29, 2022

Sport loses a legend, says England's Barmy Army

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do” Sport loses a legend.

Usain Bolt hails Pele

Legendary Sprinter Usain Bolt remembered the Brazilian Legend and posted an image with him.

A Sporting Legend.

Rest in Peace King Pele 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/AmehPBOR30

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) December 29, 2022

Barcelona FC remembers Pele's visit to Camp Nou

It was on 28 June 1959, the year after the teenager had burst onto the international scene with his stellar performances as Brazil won the 1958 World Cup, that Pelé first played at Camp Nou. His Santos team blitzed Barça, winners of the double the previous season, to the tune of a 5-1 victory. Santos were by far the best team on the day, and Pelé scored twice, but it should also be noted that it was far from a full-strength team they played that day, manager Helenio Herrera choosing to field a number of less regular faces.

Real Madrid offers its condolences

Real Madrid Football Club, its President and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of world footballing legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, one of the greatest players of all time. Real Madrid would like to express its condolences to his family, his loved ones, his clubs, the Brazilian Confederation and all football fans in Brazil and around the world. The legend of Pelé will remain forever in the memory of all those who love this sport and his legacy makes him one of the great legends of world football ever.

Neymar writes on social media

"Before Pele, 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 Pele, football was just a sport. Pele has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment. Gave voice to the poor, blacks and mostly: gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He's gone but his magic remains. Pele is FOREVER!!"

Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute to Pele

Cristiano Ronaldo writes on his Instagram handle. "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. "[He was] 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."

1,282 goals in his career

With Santos FC, the club where he played for almost two decades, he won 2 Libertadores Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 6 times the Brasileirao, among many other titles; and with the New York Cosmos he won 1 North American Soccer League. During his career he scored a total of 1,282 goals and was capped 113 times by Brazil.

Pele - Stuff of A Legend

Playing for Santos, Pele scored 643 goals in 659 matches over an 18-year period. His 77-goal haul at international level is yet to be surpassed by a Brazilian player. Neymar has equalled him but yet to surpass him.

CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues on Pele

"I still remember today the emotion of seeing Pele in action in Ilheus when the city's national team faced Santos in 1967... I was only 13 years old and I was impacted. He scored one of the goals. Two years later, I travelled to Salvador to watch his 1,000th goal, which ended up not happening. Nildo took the goal almost on the line. Practically the entire Fonte Nova and I booed the Bahia defender. Three days later, the King scored his 1,000th goal in Rio against Vasco."