Pelé has died, the Brazilian icon that won three World Cups with Brazil and played three years with the New York Cosmos in the old NASL passed away at 82 in Sao Paulo. Pelé was receiving treatment for colon cancer and was accompanied by his children at the moment of his death.
Within moments of his passing the world of sport, celebrity, and politics came together to pay homage to Pelé, who was one of the few athletes in the world who could sit at tables with heads of states. Former President of the United States Barack Obama wrote on Twitter: “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.”
Other known celebrities, athletes, and sports leagues have also begun to pay homage with tribute messages for Pelé. Known as “the king” of soccer, Pelé played for Santos in Brazil and the New York Cosmos at the professional level and scored 77 goals for the Brazilian national team.
Tributes to Pele
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
Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP ⚽️���� pic.twitter.com/SeW0z1hQTm
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2022
RIP Pele. The original GOAT, and an inspiration to generations of football players and fans
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) December 29, 2022
Rest in peace Champion ����
Heaven has a new star, and the football world lost a hero. pic.twitter.com/t6U2vV1QY4— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) December 29, 2022
A legend and trailblazer of the beautiful game.
Rest in peace, Pelé. �� pic.twitter.com/I0j1zkNSTD
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) December 29, 2022
Eterno O REI ❤️���� pic.twitter.com/lPVpDeejYu
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) December 29, 2022
A giant of the game and the reason so many of us love football. Rest in peace, legend. �� @Pele pic.twitter.com/biAlOTnIaT
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) December 29, 2022
Eternamente leggenda. Addio Pelé.#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/RHvpsfuV9A
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) December 29, 2022
From running camps in the South Bay to our battles at Spartan Stadium, Pele helped grow the beautiful game in Northern California.
Rest in peace to the legend himself. pic.twitter.com/32r0yg5xy5
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) December 29, 2022
Like everyone in the football world, we are deeply moved by the passing of Pelé. One of the sport’s biggest influences worldwide, he also played a key role in the development of soccer in the United States. Rest in peace.
Descanse em paz, O Rei. pic.twitter.com/viuZJmA61T
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) December 29, 2022
Hoy se vuelve a ir un grande del deporte mundial. Un día triste para el mundo del fútbol, para el mundo del deporte. Su legado siempre quedará.
No le vi jugar, no tuve esa suerte, pero siempre me enseñaron y me dijeron que fue el Rey del fútbol.
DEP #ORei #Pele ���� pic.twitter.com/E4mKdu8gBt
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 29, 2022
God in football boots,oh yes…A player who was my idol at 10 years old,who I played against as a 22 year old & who I loved my whole life,as did the entire world. Peerless #Pele,rest in bliss as the world cries for you,but rejoices that you blessed Your Beautiful Game.
— Ray Hudson (@RayHudson) December 29, 2022
Legend of the game.
RIP, Pele. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/smRk1zi5gt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 29, 2022
RIP @Pele what a honor it was.
������ pic.twitter.com/qi6ApSgzsy— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) December 29, 2022
Rest in Peace, #Pele. Thank you for all the joy you brought to the world. pic.twitter.com/zWtgeJaLl6
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) December 29, 2022
Sad day for the world of football.
Rest in peace, Pelé �� pic.twitter.com/uVe6frAHO1
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) December 29, 2022
River Plate despide a uno de los más grandes de toda la historia. Pelé, leyenda del fútbol mundial. �� pic.twitter.com/H7Yc4cnzwr
— River Plate (@RiverPlate) December 29, 2022
Before his final game, in Oct 1977 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Pelé took the microphone at the center of the field, his father and Muhammad Ali beside him, and exhorted a crowd of more than 75,000 “Say with me three times, for the kids: Love! Love! Love!” �������� pic.twitter.com/fuDeUTXOMT
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) December 29, 2022
