Pele - argued by many to be the greatest footballer ever to have lived - has passed away at the age of 82.
The legendary Brazilian died peacefully on Thursday, after multiple battles with illnesses over the past few months and years.
Pele remains the only player ever to win the World Cup three times, and his legacy on the game is unrivalled. Part of Brazil's legendary 1958 and 1970 teams, he has inspired generations of footballers and football fans down through the years.
It was no surprise, then, to see the football and sporting world unite in tribute to one of the greatest ever to do it. The outpouring of emotion was testament to the esteem Pele was held in - both as a sportsperson and as a man.
Tributes paid after death of Pele
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Pele's family confirmed the Brazil great had died peacefully earlier that day.
Their message read:
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.
Love, love and love, forever.
A inspiração e o amor marcaram a jornada de Rei Pelé, que faleceu no dia de hoje.
Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
.
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.
Love, love and love, forever. pic.twitter.com/CP9syIdL3i— Pelé (@Pele) December 29, 2022
Pele visited Ireland on several occasions - most recently in 2009, when he visited Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.
The FAI expressed their condolences on a sad day for football.
The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of the great Pele, a man who left such a wonderful impression every time he visited Ireland. Our condolences to our Brazilian friends here at home and to football fans across the world on this sad day for our game. pic.twitter.com/OEKlV7sluq
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) December 29, 2022
The only time Pele played on Irish soil came in 1972, when he was part of a touring side for Brazilian club Santos. Santos faced off with a Drumcondra/Bohemians XI at Dalymount Park, with Pele playing all 90 minutes in Dublin.
Bohemians shared photos from that match on Thursday, along with a message of condolence to Pele's family.
RIP Pele - one the greatest there’ll ever be and probably the most talented to ever grace Dalyer ⚽️
He played in Dalymount in 1972 when 27,500 people packed in to watch Santos edge a 3-2 win over a Bohs/Drums selection. pic.twitter.com/JthNUue30J— Bohemian Football Club (@bfcdublin) December 29, 2022
One of Ireland's greatest ever players, Paul McGrath, also expressed his sadness at the passing of one of his personal heroes.
Saddened to hear the news, one of my Hero’s. RIP Pelé 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/e3Qn5Nf77B
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) December 29, 2022
Robbie Keane also shared a tribute.
The tributes ranged far and wide across the world of football, with greats past and present expressing their sadness at Pele's passing.
One of those most regularly placed alongside Pele in the pantheon of football's greatest of all time is current Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo. The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid striker shared a heartfelt message to his Instagram page on Thursday evening:
My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that currently embraces the entire world of football. An inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever. The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.
The man who took Pelé's goat label also shared a tribute.
The original Ronaldo also weighted with a great tribute.
Único. Genial. Técnico. Criativo. Perfeito. Inigualável. Aonde Pelé chegou, ficou. Sem nunca ter saído do topo, ele nos deixa hoje. O rei do futebol - um só. O maior de todos os tempos.
O mundo de luto. A tristeza da despedida misturada ao orgulho imenso da história escrita.— Ronaldo Nazário (@Ronaldo) December 29, 2022
Pele remains one of only two teenagers ever to score in a World Cup final and the other - France star Kylian Mbappé - shared a photo of the pair together saying "The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING."
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
Elsewhere, tributes poured in from the Brazilian football federation, Gary Lineker, Ian Rush, Gary Neville, Mesut Ozil, and more. The estate of the late Dutch great Johan Cruyff also shared a touching photo of two of football's greatest ever.
REI PELÉ 👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/epP8zZHRYr
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) December 29, 2022
A very sad day for football.
An icon and a true great of the game who touched millions around the world with his football and personality will be remembered forever.
Rest in peace, Pele.🇧🇷
My thoughts are with his family 💔 pic.twitter.com/eqRDU6usba— Ian Rush MBE (@Ian_Rush9) December 29, 2022
A Sporting Legend.
Rest in Peace King Pele 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/AmehPBOR30— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) December 29, 2022
Rest in Peace the legend Pele. What a Smile 💛🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/6uvPJgYoNF
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) 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
Ozil was not the only one to share photos of Pele with other past greats of football.
Many fan accounts shared video footage and photos of Pele together with the late Diego Maradona and George Best.
Pelé when Diego Maradona died:
“One day, I hope we will play football together in the sky.”
pic.twitter.com/BWpL646C2b— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 29, 2022
George Best handing Pelé a plaque on Pelé Appreciation Day in 1978.
More than just an icon 💫❤️ pic.twitter.com/vUzy9UnBOL— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) December 29, 2022
Pele's death leaves the football world in mourning, and we can only imagine many more tributes are to come.
Rest in peace, O Rei.
SEE ALSO: Pelé Netflix Documentary Shined A Different Light On Maradona Debate
