By Shaun Murphy-
Tributes have been flooding in following the announcement of the death of footballing genius, Pele.
Gary Lineker was among those who hailed Pele’s legacy following the news of his death.
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He posted on Twitter: “The most divine of footballers and joyous of men.
“He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to.”
England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst said Pele “remains the greatest of all time”.
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He said: “I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside).
“For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.”
His daughter Kely Nascimento paid tribute to her father on Instagram: “We are thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
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.”
Lionel Messi, another footballer widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time, shared his own simple reflection: “Rest in peace”
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat
A medical report just before Christmas showed that he needed care for cardiac and renal dysfunction, having been battling colon cancer since September 2021.
His achieved a Guinness World of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He is the only player to achieve three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to achieve this.
The league’s highest goal scorer at just 16, he scored a grand total of 643 goals in 659 matches for Santos, his club for 18 years until 1974 as they dominated Brazilian domestic football.
At 17, he arrived at the 1958 tournament in Sweden nursing a knee injury but his team-mates insisted he be picked for the team.
At the time, he was the youngest to feature at a World Cup and would score twice in the final as Brazil beat the hosts Sweden 5-2
A post on Pele’s official Instagram account following his death said the icon “enchanted the world”.
“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.
“On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.
“His message today becomes a legacy for future generations.
“Love, love and love, forever
Pele’s wake is set to take place on Monday in Santos, according to reports.
Footballing genius: Pele Image: Getty Images
The Guardian’s Latin American correspondent Tom Phillips reports that the local press are drawing comparisons between his funeral ahead and that the Queen’s back in September.
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’
Last week, Pele’s son and daughter took to instagram to post moving tributes and pictures of their father as they spend Christmas at his side at the Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in São Paulo.
“We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. One more night together,” wrote Kely Nascimento on Friday.
It has been estimated that Pele’s annual income during his playing career was around $150,000.
His marriage to psychologist and gospel singer Assiria Lemos Seixas sadly ended in divorce in 2008 and the global star married for the third time in July 2016 to Marcia Aoki, 41, a Japanese-Brazilian importer of medical equipment.
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