Brazilian footballer Neymar paid an overwhelming tribute to legendary icon Pelé, who died on Thursday after a battle with cancer.
"Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life,” Neymar wrote on Instagram. “But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say before Pelé football was just a sport.”
The 30-year-old player highlighted that Pelé turned football into art and entertainment, adding that he gave voice to the poor, especially blacks.
“Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He's gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!” he concluded.
In like manner, Cristiano Ronaldo said 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."
"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,” Ronaldo added.
In an Instagram post, Leo Messi wrote "Rest in peace, Pele," with a photo of the two.
French star Kylian Mbappé also wrote on Twitter: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.”
Nicknamed “The King”, Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970. He was the only player in football history to achieve the milestone.
He scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team, a record that was equaled by Neymar at the 2022 World Cup.
Follow the latest news on Google News
