Sports classics, sports organizations, clubs, associations, and influential figures in world politics also paid tribute to three-time world champion Brazilian footballer Pelé, who died on Thursday at the age of eighty-two after a long illness.
Brazilian Football Federation (CBF):
"Pelé was much more than the greatest athlete of all time. He was the personification of the winning Brazil, who was never afraid of any difficulty. A black, poor boy was born in Tres Coracoes, and Pelé showed us that there is always another way. He promised his father , to win a World Cup. He won us three, scoring 95 goals in 113 games for Brazil. (Official stats include 92 games and 77 goals to his name.) The King gave us a new Brazil, and we can only thank him for that legacy. Thank you, Pele."
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , who will take office on Sunday as the new president of Brazil:
"There was never a +ten+ like him. Thank you, Pelé!"
Neymar , the classic of Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team:
"Before Pelé, ten was just a jersey number. I read this sometime in my life. But this line, although beautiful, is still incomplete. I would rather say that before Pelé, football was just a sport. However, Pelé changed everything. He turned football into an art , turned it into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, the blacks, and above all, he made Brazil visible. Soccer and Brazil rose thanks to the King! He's gone, but his magic remains. Pelé is forever!"
Thiago Silva, the captain of the Brazilian national team, a Chelsea player:
"Rest in peace, King, God bless your whole family."
Lionel Messi , Paris Saint-Germain's World Cup gold and silver medalist Argentinian striker, seven-time Ballon d'Or winner:
"Rest in peace, Pelé!"
(Messi also attached two pictures, in one of them he is together with the deceased Brazilian classic at the Ballon d'Or gala a few years ago, and in the other Pelé is celebrating his current triumph as a player.)
Kylian Mbappé , Paris Saint-Germain's World Cup gold and silver medalist French striker, is one of the best active players in the world:
"The king of football has left us here, but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP, KING..."
Cristiano Ronaldo , five-time Ballon d'Or Portuguese striker:
"A simple farewell to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the world of football feels at this moment. He was an inspiration, a reference point for millions, yesterday, today, always. The sympathy he showed me in every moment it was mutual, even from a distance. He will never be forgotten, his memory will live forever in everything and in all of us who are football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pelé."
Roberto Rivellino , member of the 1970 World Cup-winning Brazilian national team, Pelé's teammate:
"Your place is at God's side. My eternal king. Rest in peace."
Gianni Infantino , President of the International Football Association (FIFA):
"Pele had a magnetic aura and when you were with him, the world stopped to exist around you. His life was about much more than just football. He was able to change public perception for the better in Brazil, South America and the whole world. His legacy cannot be summed up in words . Today we all mourn the loss of our dear Pelénk's physical presence, but he achieved immortality a long time ago, so he will be with us forever."
The website of the Hungarian Football Association :
"The Brazilian world class was chosen as the best footballer of the 20th century. It is no wonder, because with his magical game, he did a lot for the unsurpassed popularity of football worldwide. With the death of Pelé, world football suffered an irreparable loss. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole world mourns him."
Didier Deschamps , who became world champion with the French national team as a player and then as national team captain:
"With Pelé's death, football lost one of its greatest legends, if not its greatest. Like all legends, the King seemed immortal. He gave people a dream, and then continued to do so for generations and generations of lovers of our sport. As a child, who would not have dreamed that will it be Pele's one day? However, the King remained the King, forever."
César Luis Menotti , the national team captain of the 1978 World Cup gold medalist Argentina national team, who was Pelé's teammate at Santos for a short time as a player:
"It will be very difficult to find another Pele. Pele had everything a footballer should have. He was agile, he rose like no one else, he could use both feet, he was brave and physically very strong. No one else was like Pele."
Gary Lineker , former English national football player, currently recognized sports expert:
"Pelé is dead. The most gorgeous footballer and the funniest man ever. He could play football in a way that only a privileged few could come close to. He lifted the most coveted gold trophy three times, in that beautiful yellow jersey. He may have left us, but he will always be immortal as a footballer. RIP, Pele!"
Liverpool football team:
"A legend, an icon and a true great figure of the sport, who will be remembered forever. Rest in peace, Pelé."
Manchester City Football Team:
"One of the greatest of all time who did so much for this beautiful game. May he rest in peace."
(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti/Photo: pixabay, mti)