Pelé died at the age of 82: The world mourns the exceptional footballer

Pelé is dead – the news on Thursday evening triggers grief around the world. The football legend has died at the age of 82 from cancer. Pelé was considered the best soccer player in history, inspiring billions of soccer fans around the world. The sympathy for the death of the exceptional athlete is correspondingly large.

The reactions to the death of Pelé:

The Brazilian Football Federation CBF published a photo of “King Pelé” on Twitter. “Forever” was written above the portrait of the football legend in black and white.

“Today I lost my brother. As a Catholic Christian, I know that by dying one is born to eternal life,” wrote cafu, who won the World Cup with the Seleção in 1994 and 2002, on Twitter. “See you one day, Pele.” neymar, who wears Pelé’s former number 10 in the Brazilian national team, also expressed his condolences with heavy words: “I would say that before Pelé, football was just a sport. Pelé changed everything,” wrote the striker. “He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people and above all to the rest of the world. It gave Brazil visibility.” Argentina World Champion Lionel Messi was brief: “Rest in peace, Pelé.”

There is also mourning in German and European football. Football Germany mourns. You are already missing. Rest in peace, Pelé,” he pointed out German Soccer Association his sympathy. “Of the FC Bayern mourns with the entire football world for one of the greatest in history,” said the German record champion. “Don’t worry, football is also played in heaven,” he quoted Hamburger SV Uwe Seeler, who also died that year. Of the VfL Bochum wrote: “One of the greatest footballers of all time, one of the kings of football! Thank you for all you have given our sport!” Of the FC Schalke 04 shared: “Probably the greatest footballer in history has left us.” Celtic Glasgow declared: “A true legend and one of the greatest to have ever played this game.” “You will never be forgotten,” he tweeted English Football Association.

Franz Beckenbauerwho played with Pelé at New York Cosmos, said: “Football today lost the greatest in its history – and I lost a unique friend. Born in Três Corações, Pelé had three hearts: for football, for his family, for everyone “People. Someone who played with the stars and always kept his feet on the ground. I went to the USA in 1977. I really wanted to play in a team with Pelé at Cosmos New York. That time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of mine Career. We became US champions together straight away, and Pelé then just called me his brother. It was an unimaginable honor for me. Football will be yours forever! You will always be. Thank you for your game, O Rei! “

Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: “Everything we are, we owe you. We love you infinitely, rest in peace.”

Pelé leaves behind six other children and his wife Márcia Cibele Aoki.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated several times.