Football world in mourning: “The king has abandoned us”

Lionel Messi (Striker Paris Saint-Germain/ARG): “Rest in peace, Pele.”

Kylian Mbappé (striker Paris Saint-Germain/FRA): “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP King.”

Cristiano Ronaldo (Striker/POR): “My deep condolences to all of Brazil and especially 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 is gripping the entire world of football at this moment. An inspiration for so many millions of people, a reference from yesterday, from today, from forever. The affection he always showed me was reciprocated in all the moments we spent together, even when we were far apart. He will never be forgotten and his memory will remain with each of us football fans forever. Rest in peace, King Pelé.” Cristiano Ronaldo together with Pelè at the 2008 World Footballer Election. © ANSA / FABRICE COFFRINI

Neymar (striker Paris Saint-Germain/BRA): “Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. I read this sentence somewhere at some point in my life. But this beautiful sentence is incomplete. I would say that before Pelé, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave the poor, the blacks and, above all, the others a voice: it gave Brazil visibility. Football and Brazil have increased their status thanks to the king! He is gone, but his magic will remain. Pelé is FOREVER!”

Robert Lewandowski (Striker FC Barcelona/POL): “Rest in peace, champion. The sky has a new star and football has lost a hero.”

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (future Brazilian President): “Few Brazilians have carried the name of our country as far as he has. No matter how different the language was from Portuguese, foreigners from all corners of the world soon found a way to pronounce the magic word: 'Pelé'. Pelé left us today. He went to heaven to play alongside Coutinho, his great partner at Santos. Now he has the company of so many eternal stars: Didi, Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Sócrates, Maradona. He left behind one certainty: there has never been a number 10 like him. Thank you, Pele.”

Gianni Infantino (FIFA President/SUI): “Pelé: Immortal – forever with us.”

Barack Obama (Former US President): “Pelé was one of the greatest footballers to ever play. And as one of the most famous athletes in the world, he understood the power of sport to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him.”

Franz Beckenbauer (former defender/GER): “This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career. We became US champions together straight away, and Pelé then just called me his brother. That was an unimaginable honor for me. Football will be yours forever! You will always stay. Thank you for your game, oh Rei!” Pelè won the World Cup three times with Brazil. © ANSA / GERARD MALIE

Ronaldo (former striker/BRA): “What a privilege to come after you, my friend. Your talent is a school that every player should go through. Your legacy spans generations. And so you will live on. Today and forever, we will celebrate you.”

Romario (former striker/BRA): “Today Brazil says goodbye to one of its most important sons: Pelé, the king of football. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, voted Sportsman of the Century, made the world bow to his talent and place Brazilian football on the altar of the gods.”

Cafu (former defender/BRA): “Today I lost my brother. As a Catholic Christian, I know that 'one is born to eternal life by dying'. We will have all eternity to be together in the Father's house. See you one day, Pelé.” Clubs and associations mourn Pelé Brazilian Football Federation CBF: “Pelé was much more than the greatest athlete of all time. The King of Football was the emblematic embodiment of Brazil's victories, he never shied away from a challenge. Born as a little black boy in Três Corações, Pelé showed us that there is always another way. (...) The King has given us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy. Thank you, Pele.”

Real Madrid: “Real Madrid, its President and Board of Directors deeply regret the death of world football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, one of the greatest players of all time. Pelé will forever be remembered by everyone who loves the sport, and his legacy makes him one of the great legends of world football.”

FC Barcelona: “Barça has learned with sadness of the death of King Pelé, one of the greatest footballers of all time. He made football bigger than ever. Rest in peace."

Spanish Football League: “A legend of world football. La Liga expresses its condolences on the death of Pelé and extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, O Rei.”

English Football Association: “One of the greatest to play the beautiful game. Take care, Pele. You will never be forgotten.”

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Football world in mourning: “The king has abandoned us”

The football world mourns the player of the century. Yesterday, Thursday afternoon (local time), Pelé succumbed to cancer. Football professionals, politicians and associations commemorate the football icon.

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