‘He’s gone but his magic remains’ — tributes pour in for Pele

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi are among the prominent persons who have taken to social media to pay tributes to Pele, the Brazilian football legend, who passed away at 82.

The football icon, fondly nicknamed the “king of football”, died on Thursday after battling with colon cancer.

His demise comes barely a few weeks after the former Santos forward had been rushed to the hospital and was transferred into a palliative care ward when he stopped responding to chemotherapy.

Family members had gathered at the Albert Einstein Israelita Hospital in Sao Paulo — where he was receiving treatment — shortly before Christmas.

Pele has an enviable and unmatched record of winning the FIFA World Cup on three occasions. He lifted the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Tributes have been pouring in from within and outside the football world in honour of Pele.

Neymar, the Brazilian forward, took to his Instagram page to mourn the late football legend.

“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. Gave voice to the poor, and blacks and mostly: 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!!” Neymar wrote.

In the same vein, Mbappe wrote: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.”

The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.
RIP KING 💔👑… pic.twitter.com/F55PrcM2Ud

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) December 29, 2022

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Here are more tributes below:

Your legacy will always be remembered. Condolences to all your family, RIP O’Rey 🙏🏻❤️⚽️ @Pele https://t.co/u7QmNnNF5s

— Andriy Shevchenko (@jksheva7) December 29, 2022

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Devastated to hear the passing of The King of Football. You inspired us and millions of Africans to fall in love with the beautiful game. RIP Pele ⚽️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/024YSUwSs3

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— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) December 29, 2022

The legend who stood tallest among legends… always had time for everyone!

I had the pleasure of playing for him (charity match) and interviewing him – equally rewarding.

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The player, The man, The icon@Pele pic.twitter.com/x763cyrqIF

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 29, 2022

Pele 🤍 🕊 #thegreatest R I P pic.twitter.com/4lgOkJqDUi

— Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) December 29, 2022

The death of Brazilian football legend Pelé has shaken the world. He was undeniably gifted, and his name, achievements, and style of play will remain immortalized in our minds.

He will be dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/6AwtII1xM3

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 29, 2022

We express our sorrow following the sad passing of football icon and Brazilian great Edson Arantes Do Nascimento ‘Pele.’ We mourn his demise with the rest of the football family worldwide and the Brazilian football family in particular. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/gtEkenk60M

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) December 29, 2022

Rest in peace, Pele.

Thank you for the joy you brought to football fans around the world ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ypo6NGxdqS

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 29, 2022

Rest in peace to one of the greatest legends of the game🖤⚽😥
Your legacy will live forever.
I'm sure 'Heaven FC' with Maradona and Pele together will be invincible forever 🫶🏼🇧🇷🏆🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/KimzUxhIik

— Mesut Özil (@M10) December 29, 2022

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pelé. We extend our condoleances to the Brazilian people and the football family.@Pele was @UNESCO Champion for Sport since 1994 and worked relentlessly to promote sport as a tool for peace. He will be greatly missed.

Até sempre, o Rei. pic.twitter.com/SkQeIYe6jg

— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) December 29, 2022

Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP ⚽️🤴🏿 pic.twitter.com/SeW0z1hQTm

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2022

Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him. pic.twitter.com/urGRDePaPv

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2022

Today, we say goodbye to the best ever 🕊️ Rest in eternal peace, Pele, you'll be missed my millions and millions. Legend 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/KfUkO0Nvdi

— Samuel Eto'o (@SamuelEtoo) December 29, 2022

R.I.P the "KING" 🙏🏿💔 #Pele pic.twitter.com/Maqgx5TUdh

— Michael Essien® (@MichaelEssien) December 29, 2022

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