Romain Rouillard with AFP 9:23 p.m., December 29, 2022, modified at 9:28 p.m., December 29, 2022

Pelé, a true global football icon, died Thursday in Sao Paulo from colon cancer.

The Brazilian was 82 years old.

From Kylian Mbappé to Emmanuel Macron via Paris Saint-Germain, the whole world salutes the memory of a unique player who will leave behind an unparalleled legacy. 

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, died Thursday in Sao Paulo surrounded by his family.

Aged 82, he had been battling colon cancer for more than a year.

A true legend of football, the Brazilian, the only player in history to have three world championship titles, has aroused unparalleled admiration.

The announcement of his death was accompanied by a wave of tributes from all over the world.

The main information

- Pelé, a true legend of world football, died on Thursday at the age of 82.

- The Brazilian, the only player to have won three world championship titles, was suffering from colon cancer. 

- Since the announcement of his death, tributes from all over the world have been pouring in. 

Emmanuel Macron's tribute

"The Game. The King. Eternity", soberly tweeted the head of state after the announcement of Pelé's death.

"King Pelé has left us. His legend will never die out," reacted French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

"He was the soul of Football. A champion, a magician, a genius. Whose smile said it all." 

The Game. The King.

Eternity.


O Jogo.

Oh Rey.

At Eternity.

pic.twitter.com/ZjeaF7zIGx

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 29, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo hails a 'source of inspiration'

Also considered one of the very best players in history, Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Pelé, "a reference yesterday, today and tomorrow", he wrote on Instagram.

"The affection he has always shown towards me has been reciprocated at all times, even from a distance," confided the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on his Instagram account, expressing "the pain that is currently affecting everyone in football. ".

Mbappé, Neymar and Messi salute his memory

France and Paris SG striker Kylian Mbappé was one of the first to pay tribute to Pelé, saying "his legacy will never be forgotten".

"The king of football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten, rest in peace, King", wrote in English on Twitter Mbappé, often compared to the Brazilian icon for his precocity.

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

The tricolor crack was quickly imitated by his teammate Neymar, compatriot of the late number 10. Pelé "made football an art", wrote the international auriverde on Instagram.

"Before Pelé, football was just a sport. Pelé changed everything (...) he gave a voice to the poor, to blacks, and above all: he gave visibility to Brazil", continued the striker of the PSG, in a message illustrated with a photo of the "King" of football wearing a crown. 

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A post shared by NJ (@neymarjr)

Moments later, it was Lionel Messi who saluted the memory of the man with 1,200 career goals.

"Rest in peace," he wrote, also on Instagram.

A message accompanied by a photo of him, hugged by the Brazilian. 

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)