Brazilian Football Legend Pelé Dies At 82; Messi, Neymar Pay Tribute

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously known as Pelé died on Thursday at São Paulo, due to failure of multiple organs, after his colon cancer progressed. He was 82.

Often regarded as one of the all-time greatest to grace the game, Pelé is the only footballer in history to win three World Cups. He triumphed with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

A national treasure for his country Brazil, Pelé was forbidden from playing outside Brazil. Therefore, he majorly played for his boyhood club Santos for 18 years of his club-football career, where he scored a record 618 goals for the Peixe, before moving abroad to play for New York Cosmos.

He also stands as the joint highest goal scorer along with Neymar for Brazil, where Pelé scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for the Seleção.

Many famous personalities around the world paid tributes to the legendary Brazilian football.

Neymar said, “I would say that before Pelé, 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!!”

France’s Kylian Mbappé, who shares the record with Pelé of being the only two teenagers to score in a World Cup final said, "The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING"

Brazilian president Lula Da Silva also paid tributes to Pelé, saying, "I had the privilege that younger Brazilians didn't have: I saw Pelé play, live, at Pacaembu and Morumbi. Few Brazilians took the name of our country as far as he did."

US president Joe Biden also paid tribute to the three-time World Champion, saying, "For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pelé’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible. Today, Jill and I's thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him."

Pelé’s coffin would be kept at Santos’ Vila Belmiro Stadium, where the public can pay their final respects to him from Monday, 10 am.

His coffin will be kept on the centre field before being carried around the streets of Santos. Pelé will be cremated at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica in Santos.

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