Three-time World Cup winner Pele - widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time - has died at the age of 82.
The Brazilian icon passed away in Sao Paulo following a battle with colon cancer which saw him spend the final month of his illustrious life in hospital.
The game's first global superstar burst onto the international scene as a teenage World Cup winner in 1958 and was still at the peak of his powers when arguably the greatest team of all time were crowned world champions again 12 years later.
Following the former Santos stalwart's death, tributes have been flooding in from throughout the footballing world as they remember a man who remains for many above the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up just some of the tributes that have been paid to the great man from the football world.
BRAZIL
REI PELÉ 👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/epP8zZHRYr
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) December 29, 2022
SANTOS
Eterno. pic.twitter.com/N912VpCmVK
— Santos FC (@SantosFC) December 29, 2022
NEYMAR
"Before Pele, '10' was only a number. I read this phrase somewhere, sometime in my life. But this phrase, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say that before Pele, football was solely a sport. Pele changed everything.
"He transformed football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to black people, and most importantly: He gave visibility to Brazil.
"Football and Brazil elevated their status thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will stay. Pele is eternal!!"
CRISTIANO RONALDO
"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 Pele 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."
LIONEL MESSI
"Rest in peace, Pele."
KYLIAN MBAPPE
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
ERLING BRAUT HAALAND
Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP ⚽️🤴🏿 pic.twitter.com/SeW0z1hQTm
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2022
ENGLAND
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
THE FA
"Everyone who loves football, loves Pele. His unique talent lit up the game, and inspired football.
"Our thoughts are with his family, the Brazil Football Confederation and the Brazilian people."
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Rest in peace Champion 🙏🏼
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) December 29, 2022
Heaven has a new star, and the football world lost a hero. pic.twitter.com/t6U2vV1QY4
FIFA
Pelé, the only man to win the #FIFAWorldCup three times.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 29, 2022
A legend of our game.
Rest in peace, the Eternal King. pic.twitter.com/1MS3DPxPDF
FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO
"For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé. 'O Rei' was unique in so many ways. He was the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times and his skill and imagination were incomparable.
"Pelé did things that no other player would even dream of, such as the famous dummy in the 1970 FIFA World Cup semi-final that became known as the 'Pelé run-around'. Or the goal he scored in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final as a 17-year-old when he flicked the ball over a defender and volleyed it into the net.
"The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport, and is etched into our history. In fact, because televised football was still in his infancy at the time, we only saw small glimpses of what he was capable of.
"Most importantly, "The King" rose the throne with a smile on his face. Football could be brutal in those days, and Pelé was often on the receiving end of some rough treatment. But, while he knew how to stand up for himself, he was always an exemplary sportsman, with genuine respect for his opponents.
"I had the great privilege of meeting him in several occasions. In 2016, already as FIFA President, we were side by side for the premiere of Pelé's movie, which reminded me of when I sat next to my father in 1981 when he brought me to watch 'Escape to Victory' in which Pelé starred alongside Sylvester Stallone and other famous actors.
"I was 11 years old and my father told me what a great player Pelé was. The fantastic goal he scored in that movie was the only way, at that time, to have a glimpse of his incredible skills. The moments spent with him will forever remain in my memory and in my heart.
"Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.
"To his family and friends, to CBF, to Brazil and to all football fans who loved him so much, I express my sincere condolences.
"Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity."
UEFA
Tonight, we join fans the world over in mourning Pelé, one of football's all-time greatest players.
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 29, 2022
He was the first global superstar of the game and played a pioneering role in football's rise to become the world's most popular sport.
Rest in peace, Pelé.
PREMIER LEAGUE
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
WELSH FA
Pele broke our hearts in 1958 to score his first World Cup goal to knock Cymru out. Today our hearts are broken again.
— FA WALES (@FAWales) December 29, 2022
A true sporting legend. Our thoughts are with the people of Brazil and the world football family.
Gorffwys mewn hedd, Pele.#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/OJT6QjOfkv
SIR GEOFF HURST
I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside). For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you. pic.twitter.com/oCpQlw7EIK
— Sir Geoff Hurst (@TheGeoffHurst) December 29, 2022
GARY LINEKER
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
HARRY KANE
Pele was a true inspiration and one of the greatest to ever play the game. Rest in peace. https://t.co/pmfAKTd7ZY
— Harry Kane (@HKane) December 29, 2022
DENIS LAW
RICHARLISON
NEW YORK COSMOS
"During three seasons with the Cosmos, Pelé helped transform the domestic landscape of the sport of soccer.
"Where once there had been baseball diamonds, now there were also soccer pitches.
"The Cosmos and their King not only started a sporting revolution in America, they also traveled the world to spread the Gospel of the Beautiful Game, representing the world's most global city at the global game...
"Pelé's name will forever be synonymous with sporting artistry and genius. His lasting impact on the sport of soccer is inestimable.
"Rest in peace, O Rei."
RIO FERDINAND
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
JAMIE CARRAGHER
It's a very sad day for the football world when an icon like Pele passes away.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 29, 2022
I'll never forget the awe as a child of watching the VHS tape of Brazil 70, the greatest national team anyone has ever seen.
RIP to one of the Gods of the game #Pele 💔 pic.twitter.com/UWV4KV0hBN
GARY NEVILLE
Rest in Peace the legend Pele. What a Smile 💛🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/6uvPJgYoNF
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 29, 2022
OSSIE ARDILES
The King of Kings has died. Extraordinary player. Unique. 3 times World Cup winner, more than a thousand goals. My idol when young. He made football the beautiful game and truly international. My time playing alongside him in Escape to Victory was a dream come true. RIP Pele pic.twitter.com/ovlL3rA4h5
— osvaldo ardiles (@osvaldooardiles) December 29, 2022
USAIN BOLT
A Sporting Legend.
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) December 29, 2022
Rest in Peace King Pele 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/AmehPBOR30
BARACK OBAMA
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
Barney Corkhill
