Brazilian football giant Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known to the world as Pelé, died on Thursday at the age of 82, his daughter Kely announced on Instagram.
Almost immediately, players, personalities and organisations worldwide paid tribute to the international legend, whom Brazil's football federation, CBF, described as the greatest sportsman the world has ever known.
“Our football king was the ultimate representative of a triumphant Brazil and never backed down from difficulties,” the CBF said in a statement.
“Pele, a poor little black boy, showed that there is always a way. He promised his father one world title and he won three. King Pele gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy.”
'Greatest footballer in history'
His death was “very sad news,” former FIFA president Joseph Blatter said. “The world mourns the greatest footballer in history and a wonderful person. He celebrated the game like no other.”
“Pele, forever the greatest, forever in our hearts,” FIFA commented. “He was known as the King and his face is probably one of the most famous in world football.”
Pele’s immense talent earned him a place as a global legend, with FIFA naming him the greatest player of the 20th century. The international federation recalled that the expression ‘O jogo bonito’ or ‘the beautiful game’ was coined by him.
Cosmos New York, the only club where Pele played outside his historic team Santos FC, praised the Brazilian’s impact on football. “His lasting impact on the game is inestimable,” wrote the club where Pele played for three seasons, giving the game Americans call 'soccer' an audience that had been unprecedented before his arrival in the United States.
He 'made football an art'
Reactions from present-day football giants poured in on social media soon after the announcement of his death.
"Before Pele, football was just a sport," Neymar, who shares the record for most goals scored with Brazil, wrote on Instagram. "He revolutionised everything, making football an art, an entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people and, above all, to Brazil.
"Football and Brazil have evolved thanks to the 'Rei' (king). He is gone but his magic will remain. Pele is eternal."
"The king of football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten, rest in peace, King," wrote Neymar's teammate at Paris SG, France's Kylian Mbappé, who is sometimes compared to the Brazilian legend for his numbers and precociousness.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 'He was an inspiration to millions'
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was also close to Pelé. "A simple goodbye will never be enough to express the pain that the football world feels," he wrote.
"He was an inspiration to millions of people, a reference yesterday, today and forever (...). He will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on in all of us football lovers."
Argentina's Lionel Messi, whom Pele did not hesitate to congratulate after his World Cup title, was content with a simple "rest in peace, Pele," captioning a photo showing the two of them at a Ballon d'Or award ceremony.
