Following the passing away of football legend, Pele at the age of 82, football mega stars have been reeling out tributes for the Brazilian.
Neymar, the compatriot of the late legend and joint-highest scorer in men’s international football alongside Pele on 77 goals, posted an emotional message following the death of his idol.
In his social media tribute, he said “He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is forever.”
Pele died on Thursday at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo following a battle with cancer and reaction poured in around the world to remember the only player to have won the World Cup three times.
Neymar and Pele both played for Brazilian club Santos
“I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment.”
Crisitano Ronaldo on his part said Pele’s “memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers”.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward wrote on Instagram: “A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
Sports journalist Henry Winter pays tribute to football legend Pele by describing him as much more than the ‘greatest footballer of all time’.
“An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever. The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers. Rest in peace King Pelé.”
Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe also paid their respects to Pele.
Mbappe posted an image of himself and Pele with the words: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.”
Messi simply wrote: “Rest in peace, Pele”.
