Football great Pelé died Thursday at the age of 82 following a long battle with colon cancer. The three-time World Cup champion was hailed for his skill and grace on the pitch, truly embodying the phrase fans know as "o jogo bonito," otherwise known as "the beautiful game".
In the few hours since the death of Pelé was confirmed, thousands of tributes have poured in from football players, fans and politicians from all around the world.
Among the first of notable footballers to send their prayers and tributes to the hailed Santos player were French star Kylian Mbappé, Argentina's Leo Messi, current free agent Cristiano Ronaldo and fellow Brazilian star Neymar.
"A simple goodbye to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that hits the entire world of football at this moment. An inspiration for so many millions, a reference of yesterday, today, always," Ronaldo wrote in an Instagram post. "The affection he has always shown for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even at distance."
"He will never be forgotten and his memory will last for ever in each and everyone of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele," he added.
In football, there are few numbers that carry the significance that the no.10 jersey does, and with Pelé, the weight that figure carried skyrocketed.
Among the politicos, Pelé gained tributes from former Bolivian President Evo Morales, former US President Barack Obama, US President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who Pelé served under as sports minister.
Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men. He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt. He may have left us but he’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 29, 2022
"Pele is an incontestable symbol of our nation, a source of pride for all of us. Beyond his achievements as a legend of world sport, Pele was an exemplary public officer, loyal to his principles, values and to our country," Cardoso said. "We all lose in his departure.''
The man who stopped a war
Between one and two million people died during Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. Astonishingly, a 48-hour ceasefire was called between the Nigerian government and the secessionist state of Biafra in 1969 so they could watch Pele and Santos draw 2-2 with the Nigerian Super Eagles, with ‘The King’ receiving incessant applause and a standing ovation from the home fans.
Pele had served since 1994 as “champion for sport” for the United Nations cultural organisation, UNESCO, helping promote physical education across the world.
On Thursday, UNESCO said Pele “worked relentlessly to promote sport as a tool for peace”, adding that he will be greatly missed.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pelé. We extend our condolences to the Brazilian people and the football family,” the organisation said in a tweet.
A giant of the game and the reason so many of us love football. Rest in peace, legend. 👑 @Pele pic.twitter.com/biAlOTnIaT
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) December 29, 2022
“One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky” - Pele’s message after Diego Maradona died in 2020. pic.twitter.com/aE7nZJya9E
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) December 29, 2022
The current Brazilian government has hailed the player as "one of the greatest athletes of all time," going on to declare a three-day national mourning period.
Offering his condolences, Brazilian President-elect Lula da Silva Pele commented in a Twitter thread that Pelé "went to make a table in heaven with Coutinho, his great partner at Santos. He now has the company of so many eternal stars: Didi, Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Sócrates, Maradona."
"He left a certainty: there had never been a number 10 like him. Thank you, Pele."
Brazilian media has reported that a wake will be held on Monday in the city of Santos, where Pelé played with Santos FC from 1956 to 1974. A funeral is expected to be held on Tuesday morning following a procession.
Pelé had been diagnosed with a colon tumor in September 2021; however, the following year his health took a turn for the worse after he was treated for three malignant tumors, urinary tract infection, as well as care for general swelling of the body and heart failure. He was ultimately placed on palliative care, with family members in the last several days sharing photos from the hospital of his final days.
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