The news of the player Pele’s death was met with sadness around the world. Countless people and the media have paid tribute to the former footballer, highlighting his talent and his importance in the history of football.
President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was one of the first to speak. “I had the privilege that the younger Brazilians didn’t have: I saw Pelé play, live, at Pacaembu and Morumbi. Play, no. I saw Pelé put on a show. Because when he got the ball, he always did something special, which many times ended in a goal” Lula said on Instagram. I confess that I was angry with Pele, because he always slaughtered my Corinthians. But most of all I admired him. And anger soon gave way to the passion of seeing him play with the number 10 shirt of the Brazilian national team. “
He went on to say that “few Brazilians have taken our country’s name so far. No matter how different the language was from Portuguese, foreigners from the four corners of the planet soon found a way to pronounce the magic word: ‘Pelé’. Pelé He left us today. He went to make a table in heaven with Coutinho, his great companion at Santos. Now he has the company of many eternal stars: Didi, Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Sócrates, Maradona… He left a certainty: there has never been a number 10 like him. Thank you, Pele.”
Former US President Barack Obama also manifested himself, posting a photo in which he appears next to the king of football, with the caption: “Pele was one of the greatest who ever played the beautiful game. And as one of the world’s most recognized athlete, he understood the power of sport to bring people together. Our thoughts go out to his family and all those who loved and admired him.”
The current stars of world football followed each other in reverence. The Argentine Leonel Messi was the most parsimonious, saying only “rest in peace” next to a carousel of images in which he appears with the master, while the French Kylian Mbappé added that “the king of football has left us his legacy , which can never be forgotten”, also from a picture in which he is close to Pele.
Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo extended, expressing his “next feelings to all of Brazil, and especially to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento” on Instagram. He continued: “A simple ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that encompasses the entire world of football at this moment. An inspiration for so many millions, a reference to yesterday, today, forever The affection he has always shown me has been mutual in all the moments we have shared, even at a distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will remain forever in all of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pelé “.
Neymar mentioned the weight of the national team’s number 10 shirt. “Before Pele, ’10’ was just a number,” he said. “I read that sentence somewhere, at some point in my life. But that sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything. He has transformed football into art, into entertainment. he gave a voice to the poor, to the blacks and above all: he gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone, but his magic will remain. Pele is ETERNAL!!”.
Player Richarlison also paid tribute. “Today football greets its most beautiful chapter. The boy who enchanted the world and changed the history of football forever,” he wrote in the caption of a photo of the King. “You will always be the greatest, because 60 years ago, with all the difficulties he had to face, he was already doing what few can do today. The boy who dedicated his thousandth goal to children and made our country discover that it could do much more. You are and will always be incomparable, King You are eternal! Thank you and may God welcome you with open arms.”
American professional boxer Nico Ali Walsh posted a photo of his famous grandfather, Muhammad Ali, together with Pele, and wrote: “These two friends can now meet again.”
The future Minister of Sport, the volleyball star Ana Moser, added: “What can I say about that day, at this hour? Pelé leaves us. In sadness, there is admiration and respect for the athlete of the century, the king of football”.
Singer Mano Brown said on Twitter that “I grew up in Santista with no support, I remember the black boy dressed in white, he was familiar in the courtyards where I lived before I went to boarding school, there everyone had their team, mine was this one, for life! King Pele’s eternal subject, king forever.” And Frejat commented that “today we lost the greatest player in the history of football. Brazil has lost one of its heroes, the world has lost one of its icons. The memories of his plays and goals will remain in our memory for always”.
Xuxa, Pelé’s girlfriend in the 80s, preferred to send a message to her family, children and friends, using the intimate nickname with which she addressed the King: “Márcia, kelly, Edinho, Jennifer, Joshua, Celeste and heart), nephews, nieces, Lucia… and all those who have been by your side I say, my affectionate embrace and may the pain of loss become a beautiful memory to be less heavy… Márcia, may God give you the ride you need”.
The most moving account came from actress Tássia Camargo, who recounted how the king helped her through the death of her daughter, two-year-old Maria Júlia, from a rare disease in 1996. “And the king Pelé? A lot… Not only the king of football, but as a friend who helped me a lot psychologically in the death of my daughter Maria Júlia. He told me: “he practices women’s football”. That’s what I did. One day, playing in my condo NOVA Ipanema, in Barra da Tijuca [Zona Oeste do Rio]was there to watch. Just to give me strength,” she said.
“I have a handwritten letter from him that I’m not going to send because it’s still in stock in Brazil. He helped me with my show called ‘Josmarina’, a monologue. There was a company called PELÉ PRODUÇÕES ARTÍSTICAS. They’ll think that we had something… They are wrong. If, because it was just empathy. I met his “family” at the CHOPIN building. The day of this video [abaixo], I witnessed the registration, like the day he went to Campo do Chico and left his footprints in Politheama. We talked a lot when I lived in New York on the phone. Thanks for everything, for the teachings, for the unique football. My condolences to the children, family, mutual friends and fans. Maestro, he rests in peace and see you soon, “he concluded.
The king of football has passed away but his legacy will never be forgotten.
RIP KING??… pic.twitter.com/F55PrcM2Ud
— Kylian Mbappe (@KMbappe) December 29, 2022
Today we lost an incredible athlete and a symbol of peace. I want to offer my deepest condolences to Pele’s family and loved ones. These two friends can now meet again🖤 pic.twitter.com/nB5moqpJLB
— Nico Ali Walsh (@NicoAliX74) December 29, 2022
And for the citizen who has made his contribution to society, who has represented the quality and strength of the Brazilian people. Edson Arantes do Nascimento is gone, Pelé is eternal and will continue to delight the new generations with his goals!
— Ana Moser (@anabmoser) December 29, 2022
I grew up Santista without support, I remember the black boy dressed in white, he was familiar in the courtyards where I lived before going to boarding school, there everyone had their own team, this was mine, for life! Eternal subject of the king @Leatherking forever 🕊️👑 pic.twitter.com/37IfhuR1PF
— Mano Brown (@manobrown) December 29, 2022
Today we lost the greatest player in football history. Brazil has lost one of its heroes, the world has lost one of its icons.
Memories of his plays and goals will remain in our memory forever.
May he walk a path of light 💫🌟” And Pelé said love, love, love” Long live Pelé!❤️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Y3qQTKNDJ7
— Frejat (@FrejatOficial) December 29, 2022
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Jason Root is a writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth coverage of famous people in entertainment, sports, and politics. He has a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines and bringing readers an inside look at the lives of the famous. He has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Journalism from UC Berkeley.
