PELE has passed away aged 82 after a long battle with cancer.
The world of football is in mourning with tributes flooding in after it was announced the Brazil icon had died in his homeland.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
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Follow ALL of the latest tributes below...
- Emillia Hawkins
'Pele changed it all'
PSG star Neymar has paid tribute to Pele with a heartfelt message on social media.
He said: "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 He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He 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!!"
Credit: Instagram - Emillia Hawkins
Christ the Redeemer lit up in honour
Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue was illuminated in green and yellow last night as the nation mourns the death of Pele.
Three days of mourning have been announced by President Jair Bolsonaro after the football legend's death yesterday.
Credit: AP - Matt Penn
Death of a legend
The football world is in mourning today after the death of Pele.
The Brazilian, arguably the greatest player to have played the game of football, passed away aged 82 after a battle with illness.
He is the only player in history to win three World Cups and was instrumental to the iconic Brazil teams of 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Pele is also credited with jaw-dropping goal records across his 21 year long career, including hitting 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances.
Football legends from the past and the present paid tribute to one of the most recognisable sporting names yesterday.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe were among the modern generation of major stars who hailed the legend in moving and emotional social media posts.
Brazilians such as Neymar and Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus also told of Pele's importance to them with their own contributions.
Contemporaries of Pele were also keen to add their voices to those reflecting on his life.
Legends like Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law led the wonderful and stirring tributes to his life.
- James Orr
Rooney, Scholes share tributes
Wayne Rooney posted a picture of him with Pele with the words: "Rest in peace Pele. Legend."
While fellow former Man Utd and England star Paul Scholes posted: "RIP Pele 'The Greatest'."
Credit: Instagram Credit: Instagram - James Orr
Harry Redknapp pays tribute
Harry Redknapp has posted an iconic picture of Bobby Moore and Pele from the 1970 World Cup in tribute.
Redknapp wrote: "Rest in peace to an irreplaceable man Pele.
"My favourite picture of all time. The best player i ever played against, with the greatest England captain Bobby Moore, who I was fortunate enough to play with.
"Two great men showing respect for each other and the game. Both great legends."
- James Orr
Pele Funeral ‘comparable to the Queen’
Pele’s wake is set to take place on Monday in Santos, according to reports.
And the Guardian’s Latin American correspondent Tom Phillips reports that the local press are comparing his funeral to the Queen’s passing.
He tweeted: “Brazilian media reporting that Pelé’s wake will be held on Monday at Vila Belmiro stadium in city of Santos, after Lula’s inauguration on Sunday.
“Pelé will be laid to rest at 10am on Tues after a procession. Press comparing funeral planning to Queen’s ‘Operation London Bridge'”.
- James Orr
David Beckham tribute
David Beckham has paid his respects to Pele.
Becks wrote alongside a picture of the pair: "It was HIS beautiful game obrigado."
- James Orr
In A League of His Own
Pele’s staggering goal numbers paint a picture into of his greatness.
While his amount of strikes are disputed by some, he is credited with a world record 1,281 in 1,363 appearances during a 21 year career.
He also scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil.
What is not disputed are his extraordinary three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to achieve this.
The iconic player was a key part of all three victorious teams and often left opponent befuddled with his movement, skill, ball control and fantastic showmanship
- James Orr
Ronaldo tribute
Cristiano Ronaldo wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“An inspiration for 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 on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
Credit: Instagram
- James Orr
Messi paying respect
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both paid their own emotional tributes on hearing the news that Pele had died.
Argentina’s World Cup winner Lionel Messi posted a picture on Instagram of him with Pele with the message: “Rest in peace, @pele.
Credit: Instagram - Kiro Evans
'Eternal Legacy'
Arsenal and Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus has hailed "king" Pele after his death tonight.
The forward posted this earlier on Twitter.
Jesus paid tribute to Pele on Twitter earlier - Kiro Evans
Pele Funeral 'comparable to the Queen'
Pele's wake is set to take place on Monday in Santos, according to reports.
And the Guardian's Latin American correspondent Tom Phillips reports that the local press are comparing his funeral to the Queen's passing.
He tweeted: "Brazilian media reporting that Pelé's wake will be held on Monday at Vila Belmiro stadium in city of Santos, after Lula's inauguration on Sunday.
"Pelé will be laid to rest at 10am on Tues after a procession. Press comparing funeral planning to Queen's 'Operation London Bridge'".
- Kiro Evans
Wembley lit up
The iconic Wembley arch has been lit up in Brazilian colours to mark the passing of Pele.
Wembley Stadium's arch is lit up in the colours of Brazil after it was announced that the former Brazilian footballer Pele had died aged 82 - Kiro Evans
'Football will always belong to you'
German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has joined tributes to Pele.
The former defender said: "Today, football lost the greatest man in its history – and I lost a unique friend. Born in Tres Coracoes, Pelé had three hearts: for football, for his family and for all people. Someone who played with the stars and always stayed down to earth.
"I went to the US in 1977 because I really wanted to play on a team with Pelé at New York Cosmos. This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career. We became champions together right away, and Pelé then just called me his brother.
"It was an unimaginable honour for me. Football will always belong to you! You will always be here. Thank you for your game, O Rei!"
- Kiro Evans
'He made everything look so easy'
Manchester United legend Denis Law has hailed the skill and talent of Pele.
Law said: "Pele was an unbelievable footballer; he had style, grace, flair and made everything look so easy. The precision in the way he played made him such a joy to watch… more than anything he was a good man with a great presence and a fantastic smile."
Tributes continue to pour in for Brazilian legend Pele
- Kiro Evans
Pele's Obituary
The boy who grew up sleeping on a mattress around the kitchen fire, dodging the rain dripping through the roof, was to become arguably the most famous man on the planet, rivalled only by Muhammad Ali.
A man who met with kings, queens, presidents and Popes. Whose mere presence brought about a two-day ceasefire in the Nigerian civil war. And whose dismissal in a match provoked a riot that saw the authorities rescind the sending off to save the referee from a lynching.
Not to mention those mere 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. Most important, though, was what he brought to the fans.
The joy of the game. The artistry and beauty of his skill. The ultimate glories.
Read SunSport's full obituary on Pele's extraordinary life here.
- Kiro Evans
'Wonderful human being'
Manchester United and England legend Bobby Charlton has become the latest to mark the death of Pele.
Charlton, who was a footballing contemporary of the Brazilian great, said: "Pele was a truly magical footballer and a wonderful human being. It was an honour to have shared a pitch with him and I send my sincerest condolences to his family, friends and the Brazilian people."
- Kiro Evans
New York Cosmos Tribute
Pele only played for two clubs during his entire career – Santos for almost 20 years and a two year stint at New York Cosmos.
He may have only spent two years in America, but New York Cosmos put his impact into perspective with their tribute.
The club said tonight: "In 1975, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos and helped popularize soccer across the United States.
"During three seasons with the Cosmos, Pelé helped transform the domestic landscape of the sport of soccer. The Cosmos and their King not only started a sporting revolution in America, they also traveled the world to spread the Gospel of the Beautiful Game.
"Pelé’s name will forever be synonymous with sporting artistry and genius. His lasting impact on the sport of soccer is inestimable."
- Kiro Evans
Picture Perfect
There are many brilliant photos of the King of Football Pele but perhaps none more so than the one snapped in 1970.
Having just led Brazil to a World Cup for the third time, the shirtless Pele is lifted onto the shoulders of fans and teammates and hoisted into the air.
Smiling widely and right arm held aloft, Pele looks at his happiest.
Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the 1970 World Cup Final to spark scenes of joy - Kiro Evans
Brazil pays tribute
Pele was legendary around the world but particularly in his homeland of Brazil where millions will now be mourning.
The Brazilian government have tweeted: "Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it."
Meanwhile, Brazil's incoming president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said: "Few Brazilians carried our country’s name so far.
"However different their language was to Portuguese, foreigners from all over the planet always found a way of pronouncing the magic word: ‘Pelé’"
- Kiro Evans
From One Great to Another
Lionel Messi has become the latest footballer to mark the passing of Pele.
Messi wrote on Instagram: "Rest in peace" and share pictures of the two of them together.
Messi and Pele are widely regarded as two of the best players of all time and dominated their respective eras of football.
Messi's paid tribute to Pele on Instagram
- Kiro Evans
The Football Community Mourns
The death of Pele tonight comes only two years after the passing of Diego Maradona.
The pair were widely regarded as the two greatest players in football before the emergence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
While both were brilliant at club level, they vaulted themselves into legend with performances at World Cups, namely 1958 and 1970 for Pele and 1986 for Maradona.
When the Argentine died in 2020, Pele tweeted: "One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky."
- Kiro Evans
'Your words will never leave me'
Jack Wilshere is among the football stars hailing Pele's greatness tonight.
This was his wonderful tribute on Twitter earlier tonight.
- Kiro Evans
Neymar on his hero
Neymar has taken to Instagram to pay an emotional and powerful tribute to Pele.
The star, who wears no.10 for Brazil and equalised Pele's scoring record for Brazil at the World Cup, hailed the "King" on social media.
Neymar said: "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 He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He 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!!"
- Kiro Evans
A League of His Own
Pele's staggering goal numbers paint a picture into of his greatness.
While his amount of strikes are disputed by some, he is credited with a world record 1,281 in 1,363 appearances during a 21 year career.
He also scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil.
What is not disputed are his extraordinary three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to achieve this.
The iconic player was a key part of all three victorious teams and often left opponent befuddled with his movement, skill, ball control and fantastic showmanship.
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