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By Anthony Nlebem.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil playmaker Neymar and France striker Kylian Mbappe have led tributes to football legend Pele who died on Thursday at age 82 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Ronaldo posted a picture of him receiving an award from Pele and wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular, to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that currently embraces the entire world of football.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever. The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
Neymar in a post on Instagram said: “Before Pele, ’10’ was only a number. I read this phrase somewhere, sometime in my life.
“But this phrase, beautiful, is incomplete.
“I would say that before Pele, football was solely a sport.
“Pele changed everything.
“He transformed football into art, into entertainment.
“He gave voice to the poor, to black people, and most importantly: He gave visibility to Brazil.
“Football and Brazil elevated their status thanks to the King!
“He is gone, but his magic will stay.
“Pele is eternal!!”
France star Mbappe who broke Pele’s record for the most goals in the Fifa World Cup scored by a player at age 24 in Qatar earlier this month said Pele’s legacy will never be forgotten.
“The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.” Mbappe Tweeted.
