“The memory of him will live forever”: how the world remembered Pele

"His life is bigger than football"

Pele's death was one of the biggest sporting losses of the year.

The King of Football had recently been battling a serious illness and passed away on the evening of December 29th.

It is not surprising that the tragedy caused a huge resonance around the world.

One of the first words of condolence to the family and friends of the athlete was expressed by the recently elected President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.

He remembered that he managed to personally see the three-time world champion in the game.

“I was lucky: unlike the young Brazilians, I saw Pele play live, in Pacaemba and Morumbi.

Not even a game.

I saw Pele put on a show.

Because when he got the ball, he always did something special, and often ended this performance with a goal, ”Marca quoted the politician as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a special telegram to his colleague.

“Edson Arantes before Nassimento was an outstanding son of the Brazilian people.

Thanks to his talent, unique skill, beautiful, bewitching game, football has become a favorite sport for millions of people around the world, including Russia,” he said.

The head of France, Emmanuel Macron, limited himself in social networks to three words that personify the life and career of the striker: “Game.

King.

Eternity".

In turn, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez noted that he wants to hug the Brazilian people tightly at this difficult moment for him, and stressed that the world will forever remember the time when Pele dazzled the fans with his skill.

And the head of the United States, Joe Biden, recalled: one of the greatest athletes of our time has gone from humble beginnings to the status of a football legend.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also expressed condolences in connection with what happened, but noted that the world mourns only the physical departure of the Brazilian, since he has long since gained immortality and will remain with us forever.

“No one who loves a beautiful game wanted this day to ever come.

The day we lost Pele.

Pele fascinated with his charisma, and when you were with him, the whole world stopped.

His life is not just football.

He changed for the better how this game is perceived in Brazil and around the world.

His legacy cannot be described in words, ”the functionary wrote on social networks.

And the head of UEFA, Alexander Ceferin, called the Brazilian the first world superstar who, with his achievements on and off the field, did everything to establish football as the number one sport.

Responded to the death of Pele and those who today are called his heirs.

For example, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe wished him to rest in peace.

The Frenchman added that the legacy of the three-time world champion will never be forgotten.

A slightly more detailed post was published by Cristiano Ronaldo.

He emphasized that a simple “goodbye” is not enough to express all the pain that has gripped the planet.

“Inspiration for so many millions, benchmark yesterday, today, always.

The affection he showed for me was mutual in every moment that we shared even at a distance.

He will never be forgotten, and his memory will live forever in each of us, football fans, ”wrote the forward of the Portuguese national team.

"Thank you King for your advice and courage"

Meanwhile, preparations for the funeral of the legendary striker are already in full swing in Brazil, in particular, a three-day mourning has been declared.

And the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer on the top of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, in memory of the athlete, was highlighted in the colors of the national team - yellow and green.

As for the farewell procedure itself, it will take place in Vila Belmiro in Santos, where the footballer spent most of his life.

His body will be taken to the Vila Belmiro arena at dawn on January 2 and placed in the center of the field.

Mass events will begin on January 3 at 10 am local time and end at 10 pm.

Meanwhile, Pele's family posted a touching farewell post on the King of Football's social media.

“Inspiration and love marked the path of King Pele... In his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his athletic genius, stopped war, carried out public works across the planet, and spread what he believed was the cure for all our problems: love.

His message today becomes a legacy for future generations.

Love, love and more love, forever,” wrote members of his family.

It is also reported that they allegedly asked Santos, where Pelé spent most of his career, to permanently withdraw number ten from circulation.

And the President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodriguez, promised to pay tribute to the greatest athlete and do everything to perpetuate his legacy and preserve history.

Of course, the current players of the national team could not help but say goodbye to the three-time world champion.

So, Neymar recalled that Pele not only played brilliantly, but changed everything.

"Before Pele, 10 was just a number."

I once read these words.

But this excellent proposal is incomplete.

I would say that before Pele football was just a sport... He turned it into art and entertainment.

He gave a voice to the poor and the black.

And, most importantly, he showed everyone Brazil.

The status of football and Brazil has grown thanks to the King, ”wrote the PSG forward.

Midfielder “Manchester United” Casemiro also thanked the striker for the greatness he gave to football, and expressed confidence that his legacy will live on forever.

Many players in a difficult moment recalled meetings with the King.

For example, Real Madrid striker Rodrigo called that day one of the best of his life.

At the same time, the athlete, who is also a graduate of Santos, emphasized that the club constantly told young players about the achievements and greatness of Pele.

“By the grace of God, I had the opportunity to meet with you personally ... Thank you, King, for the advice and for the courage that our conversation gave me.

“Boy, always be yourself and don’t be afraid of anything,” I will remember these words forever,” Rodrigo promised.

In turn, another Real Madrid striker Vinicius admitted that he saved all the messages that Pele sent him.

Moreover, the three-time world champion not only congratulated his colleague on goals, but also supported him in difficult moments.

"Our football is known and respected for everything it has done"

Former players of the Brazilian national team, who, due to their age, were more familiar with the legend, also did not stand aside.

For example, ex-Milan defender Cafu turned to the deceased with a poignant post on social networks.

“Today I lost my brother.

As a Catholic Christian, I know that "by dying, a person is born for eternal life."

We will have all eternity to be together in the Father's house.

He simply left the world of things that have an end and went to the world of things that have no end.

See you Pele,” Cafu wrote.

In turn, the owner of the Golden Ball, Ronaldo, stressed that it was a great honor for him to be considered the successor to Pele.

According to him, the talent of the three-time world champion is a school that every player must go through.

Another famous Brazilian striker Romario called Pele one of the greatest sons of the country.

Finally, Rivaldo thanked God for the fact that the King is Brazilian.

“Our football is known and respected for everything it has done on the pitch and it will never be forgotten.

I am proud to have played in two world championships with number 10, which he consecrated.

King Pele, your legacy is eternal.

May God bless and comfort the hearts of the family,” he wrote.

Goodbye to the Brazilian and great players from other countries.

For example, three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini admitted that he often signed as "Peleatini" at school.

According to the Frenchman, his father told him a lot about the legendary striker.

“Although he didn’t always come out to play, they only talked about him.

He was no longer a man, no longer a football player - he was the god of football.

I am overwhelmed with feelings.

This is my life, my story.

This is Pele.

These are my dreams.

I saw his goals, his exploits - and I never forgot the 1970 World Cup, ”L'Equipe quotes the ex-president of UEFA.

In turn, the head coach of the French national team Didier Deschamps called the Brazilian game the epitome of beauty and efficiency.

The specialist stressed that the striker was an unsurpassed technical virtuoso.

At the same time, few of the former partners of the attacker have survived to this day.

One of the few was the famous German defender Franz Beckenbauer, who crossed paths with him in Cosmos.

The honorary president of Bayern said that Pele, despite his status, has always remained a down to earth person.

“In 1977, I went to the USA, because I really wanted to play in the same club with Pele - New York Cosmos.

The time when I was side by side with him was one of the brightest impressions in my career.

We won the US Championship on the first try and Pele called me his brother.

It was an unimaginable honor for me,” wrote Beckenbauer.

Former England striker Harry Lineker also noted the Brazilian's simplicity and cheerfulness and called him the most divine athlete.

“Only a select few have come close to how he played.

Three times he raised the most coveted golden cup over his head - in a beautiful yellow T-shirt.

Although he left us, in the football world he will forever remain immortal, ”Lineker emphasized.

And the world champion in the German national team Mesut Ozil suggested that now Pele will have the opportunity to play with Maradona in heaven in the same team, which, for sure, will be invincible.

Go to gallery page

"His memory will always live on in our hearts"

Grieved along with everyone and the stars of other sports.

For example, the famous tennis player Rafael Nadal called the day of Pele's death one of the saddest in the history of world sports.

And the seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton posted a joint photo with the King of Football and remembered how he gave him an autographed Brazilian jersey.

The racer admitted that it was a great honor for him to receive it, and promised to keep the relic.

Alexander Ovechkin also posted a frame with the Brazilian and wrote: "Rest in peace, king."

In Russia, the great striker was also honored.

Thus, the President of the RFU, Alexander Dyukov, called his death an irreparable loss and stressed that the name of the legend will forever remain a symbol of football greatness.  

“In Russia, fans of all generations treated Pele with special warmth and love, for us he has always been and will remain an example of exceptional devotion to football ... The memory of him will always live in our hearts,” the RFU website quoted the functionary as saying.

And in the official account of the national team in Telegram published a photo of the famous Brazilian with Lev Yashin.

At the same time, perhaps the only living domestic footballer who crossed paths with Pele on the field was another Soviet goalkeeper Anzor Kavazashvili, who remembered the last meeting with the striker.

“He came to the anniversary of the death of Lev Ivanovich Yashin.

We sat at the table with him and talked warmly.

It seemed surprising to me at the time that he remembered me.

He said he remembers hitting me when we met in 1965.

When I showed him the photo, he smiled and took the picture from me, in which we are captured together.

And I tell him: “Friend, I have only one photo.

You sign it for me and leave it as a keepsake."

He did just that.

I didn’t give him the photo,” Metaratings quotes Kavazashvili.