Football stars around the world have expressed their heartfelt condolences following the death of the legendary Brazilian footballer, Pele, on Thursday.
READ ALSO: Legendary Brazilian footballer, Pele, dies of colon cancer aged 82
Neptune Prime reports that the legendary icon learned that his colon cancer had advanced on December 21 and was told he would be kept in hospital over Christmas, with the iconic forward needing treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.
His passage has since elicited deluge of tributes from football lovers and world leaders with many tagging him as the king of football.
Taking to his Facebook page, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo wrote; “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. 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.
Reigning world cup champion, Lionel Messi in a terse statement on his Facebook page wrote, “Rest in peace, pele” to mourn the legend’s passage.
“A giant of the game and the reason so many of us love football. Rest in peace, legend. ? Pelé,” Gareth Bale wrote.
“Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete.
“I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all.
“He turned football into art, into entertainment. Gave voice to the poor, blacks and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil.
“Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!,” Neymar wrote.
