Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar & Mbappe pay tribute to Pele, the ‘king of football’: Who said what
Brazilian football star Pele, who changed the game of soccer, died on Thursday at the age of 82. Pele died of cancer in Brazil. The football legend had been in increasingly fragile health, battling kidney problems and colon cancer.
In September 2021, he also underwent surgery for colon cancer, followed by chemotherapy.
The demise of the legend, who is widely acknowledged as the greatest player in the history of football, triggered a wave of tributes from the sports world.
Reactions poured in from around the world to the death of Brazilian soccer legend. Argentina’s soccer star Lionel Messi remembered Pele, while Brazil football star Neymar paid tribute to Pele and said he “transformed football into an art.”
France’s Kylian Mbappe condoled Pele’s death and said that his legacy “will never be forgotten.” Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo called Pele an “inspiration to millions.”
“My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing. An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever,” Ronaldo said.
The 37-year-old said the love Pele showed to him was reciprocated in every moment they shared, even those they shared from a distance.
“The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from a 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,” he added.
Rest in peace legend. The world will never forget you