Pele: How the world of football reacted to the death of an icon
The world of football mourned the death of Pele on Thursday evening.
The 82-year-old, the only player in history to win three World Cup trophies, passed away, but his legacy will live on. The legend of Pele touched generations of football fans from every corner of the planet and he was perhaps the very first international superstar.
Once news of his death was confirmed, tributes flooded social media.
Pele's own official Twitter account shared a moving tribute shortly after news of his passing broke.
A inspiração e o amor marcaram a jornada de Rei Pelé, que faleceu no dia de hoje.
— Pelé (@Pele) December 29, 2022
Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
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Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.
Love, love and love, forever. pic.twitter.com/CP9syIdL3i
In the eyes of the Brazilian football federation, Pele will live on forever.
REI PELÉ 👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/epP8zZHRYr
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) December 29, 2022
His legacy will, of course, live on indefinitely.
Pelé's impact on the game will never be forgotten ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HheteimXO7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 29, 2022
Have just come across this, from Andy Warhol, which I'd never read before:
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 29, 2022
"Pelé is one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of fifteen minutes of fame, he will have fifteen centuries."
“Today we won’t work because we’re going to see Pelé” - Mexico, 1970
— COPA90 (@Copa90) December 29, 2022
🇧🇷👑 pic.twitter.com/AZvZl0f17d
'Remember these three words: honesty, patience and respect.'
— Players' Tribune Football (@TPTFootball) December 29, 2022
Pelé to his younger self. pic.twitter.com/TJjvz6eNfR
The two original GOATs left this world just over two years apart.
Pelé's message to Maradona after the Argentine passed away in 2020.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 29, 2022
RIP legends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GzJf6v2tnQ
Thanks for everything. 🤍🕊️ #Pele pic.twitter.com/EItF8tGNWN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 29, 2022
Brazil stars past and present paid their respects to a national hero.
Hoje perdi meu irmão. Como cristão católico, sei que é “morrendo que se nasce para a vida eterna”. Teremos toda a eternidade para estarmos juntos na casa do Pai. Ele apenas deixou o mundo das coisas que tem fim e foi para o mundo das coisas que não tem fim. Até um dia, Pelé. pic.twitter.com/J7hz5lbLh7
— Cafu. (@officialcafu) December 29, 2022
Sou grato à Deus por @Pele ser brasileiro.
— RIVALDO FERREIRA (@RIVALDOOFICIAL) December 29, 2022
O nosso futebol é conhecido e respeitado mundialmente por tudo que ele fez em campo e jamais será esquecido. Tenho orgulho em ter jogado duas Copas do Mundo com o número 10, que foi consagrado por ele.
Rei Pelé, teu legado é eterno. pic.twitter.com/4jGK2SlkzN
Obrigado por tudo, Rei Pelé. Descanse em paz 🙏🏾👑🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/iljpTOSS3c
— Marcelotwelve (@MarceloM12) December 29, 2022
Descanse em paz, Rei Pelé. Obrigado pela glória que você deu ao Brasil e ao futebol. Seu legado é eterno. ⭐⭐⭐ pic.twitter.com/ehn9Ouk4ht
— Casemiro (@Casemiro) December 29, 2022
Forever the King of football, the Legend! 👑 Rest in peace, Pelé. 🙏
— Thiago Silva (@tsilva3) December 29, 2022
You have changed the History of football. Your legacy will always be in our hearts.
Thanks for everything!#ThiagoSilva #TS6 #OhhhThiagoSilva #Pelé #ReiPelé #PeléEterno pic.twitter.com/lobQlPreQg
Johan Cruyff, another of the all-time greats and arguably the man who succeeded Pele as the best player in the world in the early 1970s, passed away himself in 2016. But there was a message posted by the late Dutch legend's official Twitter account.
Rest in peace, Rei @Pele. pic.twitter.com/h9f2ry3O0W
— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) December 29, 2022
Kylian Mbappe is to some like a modern day Pele.
The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) December 29, 2022
RIP KING 💔👑… pic.twitter.com/F55PrcM2Ud
Pele was involved in a particularly famous World Cup game against England in 1970.
One of the greatest to have graced the beautiful game.
— England (@England) December 29, 2022
Farewell, Pelé. You will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/bMUEat5MP2
Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men. He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt. He may have left us but he’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 29, 2022
The legend who stood tallest among legends… always had time for everyone!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 29, 2022
I had the pleasure of playing for him (charity match) and interviewing him - equally rewarding.
The player, The man, The icon@Pele pic.twitter.com/x763cyrqIF
Pele never played club football in Europe, but the continent's top leagues paid tribute.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pele, an extraordinarily gifted footballer who transcended our sport and inspired millions throughout his remarkable career.
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 29, 2022
Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to Pele’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ocr5KF239t
A legend of world football. #LaLiga expresses its deepest condolences for the passing of Pelé. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) December 29, 2022
Rest in peace, O Rei. pic.twitter.com/4Z04AidyA9
Rest in peace, Pelé 🇧🇷🙏 pic.twitter.com/bqKVfQpq6c
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 29, 2022
The King will never die 👑
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 29, 2022
Rest in peace, Legend 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2t5Hl2Fau7
The world's biggest clubs also joined the tributes.
Rest in peace, Pele.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 29, 2022
Thank you for the joy you brought to football fans around the world ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ypo6NGxdqS
Barça expresses its sorrow to learn of the death of the "Rei" Pelé, one of the greatest footballers of all time. He made football greater than ever. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/r8TQbVyN28
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 29, 2022
Farewell to the King. The master of the beautiful game.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 29, 2022
Rest in peace, Pelé. 💙 pic.twitter.com/Cd7xccxX9B
A legend, icon and true great of the game who will forever be remembered. Rest in peace, Pele. pic.twitter.com/I4UwAHmWkh
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 29, 2022
We are truly saddened to hear the news of Pele’s passing.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 29, 2022
As a club, we had the privilege of hosting Pele in 1981, at Highbury. A memory we will always cherish.
Our thoughts, along with entire football community are with Pele's loved ones today. pic.twitter.com/PZgWmXvSRh