Pele dies – live updates: Pele’s final message to the world as tributes pour in from sporting royalty
Tributes are pouring in from around the footballing world for Brazilian legend Pele, 82, who died today following a battle with colon cancer.
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Pele has died aged 82 following a battle with colon cancer View post
His daughter leads tributes View post
Official Pele Instagram account posts his message for future generations View post
Playing football with Maradona in heaven? View post
Scroll through to read tributes from Messi, both Ronaldos, Erling Haaland, Rafa Nadal, Usain Bolt, Barack Obama and many more
More on this story: Pele through the years – in pictures | Busting the myths surrounding the Brazilian great
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6m ago
18:20
‘We feel a void’, FIFA president says after Pele’s death
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has recorded a video tribute to the famous footballer.
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29m ago
17:56
Pele’s ‘a story of what is possible’ – Biden
President Joe Biden has praised Pele as a star who rose from a humble start to achieve greatness.
The US leader shared a picture of the pair meeting at a football match on his Twitter account.
“For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pelé’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible.
“Today, Jill and I’s thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.”
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48m ago
17:38
Christ the Redeemer lit up in memory of Pele
Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer has been lit up to remember Pele.
The huge statue atop the Corcovado mountain shines green tonight, a poignant tribute to the footballer.
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1h ago
17:21
Brazil’s government declares period of mourning
Three days of mourning for the death of Pele have been declared by Brazil’s government.
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1h ago
17:18
Pele understood the power of sports to bring people together – Obama
“Pele was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game,” former President Barack Obama has said.
“And as one of the most recognisable 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.”
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1h ago
17:04
New York Cosmos reflect on Pele in the USA
The New York Cosmos football club, who Pele finished his incredible career with, have reflected on the footballers time in the Big Apple.
“The New York Cosmos family, past and present, grieve the loss of sporting icon Pelé,” a statement on their website says.
“In 1975, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos and helped popularise soccer across the United States.
“O Rei treated fans to numerous legendary moments on the pitch, including scoring a hat-trick to win the 1977 NASL Soccer Bowl.”
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1h ago
16:57
What is Pele’s goalscoring record?
Often referred to as the “King of Football”, Pele scored 77 goals in 92 international football matches throughout his illustrious career.
The tally makes him the 11th highest scorer of all time in international football – Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits at the top of the table with 118 goals.
He is also the youngest footballer to have ever scored a goal in the men’s FIFA World Cup. He netted in the quarter-finals against Wales in 1958, aged just 17.
When it comes to club football, Pele scored a whopping 680 goals, with 643 won for Santos in domestic-level tournaments.
However, there is much dispute over the number of goals he scored during his career, which Guinness World Records places at 1,279.
Many critics believe that figure is too high, boosted by hundreds scored in friendlies and practice matches.
Including those, he scored almost a goal a game throughout his 22-year career.
Others put his overall total at 757 goals, although Santos say his tally was closer to 1,000.
This would make him the highest-ever scorer for a single major club.
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1h ago
16:49
‘Everything you see a player doing, Pele did it first’
Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker currently breaking records at Man City, has summed it all up in a line…
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1h ago
16:48
Sir Bobby Charlton joins tributes to Pele
More legends have been paying tribute to Pele, including Sir Bobby Charlton.
“Pele was a truly magical footballer and a wonderful human being,” said England’s World Cup winner.
“It was an honour to have shared a pitch with him and I send my sincerest condolences to his family, friends and the Brazilian people.”
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1h ago
16:45
‘Football will be yours forever’ – German football legend remembers ‘unique friend’ Pele
German footballing great Franz Beckenbauer has paid tribute to his “unique friend” Pele.
He said on Twitter: “Football lost the greatest in its history today – and I lost a unique friend.
“Football will be yours forever. Rest in peace Pele.”
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1h ago
16:37
FIFA president Infantino: Pele achieved immortality a long time ago
This is the statement from the head of world football’s governing body…
“For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come,” says Gianni Infantino. “The day we lost Pelé.
“‘O Rei’ was unique in so many ways.
“He was the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times and his skill and imagination were incomparable.
“Pelé did things that no other player would even dream of, such as the famous dummy in the 1970 FIFA World Cup semi-final that became known as the ‘Pelé run-around’.
“Or the goal he scored in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final as a 17-year-old when he flicked the ball over a defender and volleyed it into the net.
“The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport, and is etched into our history. In fact, because televised football was still in his infancy at the time, we only saw small glimpses of what he was capable of.
“Most importantly, ‘the King’ rose the throne with a smile on his face. Football could be brutal in those days, and Pelé was often on the receiving end of some rough treatment. But, while he knew how to stand up for himself, he was always an exemplary sportsman, with genuine respect for his opponents.”
The statement continues: “Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped.
“His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world.
“His legacy is impossible to summarise in words…
“Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity.”
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2h ago
16:25
Brazil’s future President Lula recalls seeing Pele play
Brazil’s President-elect Lula has paid tribute to Pele, recalling seeing him play more than once.
“I confess that I was angry with Pelé, because he always massacred my Corinthians. But, first of all, I admired him.
“And the anger soon gave way to the passion of seeing him play with the number 10 shirt of the Brazilian national team.”
He added: “He left a certainty: there had never been a number 10 like him. Thank you, Pele.”
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2h ago
16:22
Hospital statement on Pele’s death
The official statement – in Portuguese – relating to the death of Pele has been released by the hospital.
A translation reads: “Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein confirms with regret the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, today, December 29, 2022, at 3:27 pm, due to the failure of multiple organs, as a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with your previous medical condition.
“Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein sympathises with the family and everyone who suffers from the loss of our dear King of Football.”
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2h ago
16:19
Another sporting great on Pele’s status and passing
Tributes coming in from those at the peak of other sports are perhaps among the most instructive as to Pele’s legacy, which clearly transcends football.
This is what tennis great Rafa Nadal has said…
“Today a great world sport is going again.
“A sad day for the world of football, for the world of sport.
“His legacy will always be with us.
“I didn’t see him play, I wasn’t that lucky, but they always taught me and told me that he was the King of football.
“Rest in peace! Oh King!”
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2h ago
16:13
Pele ‘revered’ worldwide for his achievements on and off the pitch
Henry Winter, chief football writer for The Times, says Pele has to be the greatest footballer of all time.
He argues this is the only choice, because of Pele’s achievements both on the field and off the field that saw him “revered” worldwide.
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2h ago
16:05
Busting the myths surrounding the Brazilian great
It has become fashionable to downplay Pele’s achievements but what is the truth about his record? Following the Brazilian’s death at 82, Sky Sports reporter Adam Bate examines why much of the criticism is misguided and attempts to put his accomplishments in their true context…
Pele dies at 82: Busting the myths surrounding the Brazilian great
Sky Sports
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2h ago
15:57
The original Ronaldo speaks
Ronaldo, the original one, has offered his thoughts on the passing of his fellow countryman.
This is what he said: “Unique. Cool. Technical. Creative. Perfect. One of a kind. Where Pelé arrived, he stayed. Without ever leaving the top, he leaves us today. The king of football – only one The greatest of all time.
“The world of mourning. The sadness of parting mixed with the immense pride of the written history.
“What a privilege to come after you my friend. Your talent is a school every player should go through. Your legacy will transcend generations. And that’s how it will stay alive. Today and always, we celebrate you.”
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2h ago
15:50
The greatest footballer of the modern era posts photo of the greatest from yesteryear
The Messi v Ronaldo debate has rumbled for years – and for many was finally settled when the former led Argentina to the World Cup earlier this month, something Ronaldo has been unable to do with Portugal.
For a large number of footballer lovers, this was never the debate. Rather, the GOAT title belonged to either Messi or Pele.
Here is Messi’s simple reflection on the death of his only real peer: “Rest in peace.”
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2h ago
15:40
‘I refuse to classify Pele as a player. He was above that’
Sky News sports editor Nick Powell says the well-wishes for Pele at the Qatar World Cup were a fitting way to send love to the Brazilian legend – who was in hospital at the time and tweeted his thanks.
“It was appropriate the way the football world gathered together to acknowledge how great he was at a time we all knew the end was not very far away,” said Powell.
“When you compare the names from different eras: the Ronaldos, the Messis, the Maradonas, Pele – though there were other great players from his era; Puskas, Di Stefano – it’s really Pele that surpasses all of them.”
Powell said he’s reminded of the quote by Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskas: “The greatest player in history was [Alfredo] Di Stefano. I refuse to classify Pele as a player. He was above that.”
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2h ago
15:39
‘Football was invented for this magical player’: What they said about Pele
Naturally, when someone dies tributes pour in and the hyperbole is rolled out. So perhaps these tributes made during Pele’s lifetime, from icons of all fields, are even more enlightening as to his status…
