Neymar believes that “King” Pele “changed everything” as tributes stream in for the late football legend.
On Thursday, Pele passed away at the age of 82, and current and past players took to social media to express their condolences.
Neymar posted on Instagram, “Before Pele, football was simply a sport.”
“Pele altered the entire world. He elevated football to the level of art and entertainment. He gave the poor and black people a voice.”
Neymar added: “Primarily, he provided Brazil exposure. Thanks to the King, both football and Brazil gained prestige. Although he is gone, his charm will endure.”
Kylian Mbappe, a teammate of Neymar’s at Paris Saint-Germain, lauded Pele as “the king of football” and said, “his legacy will never be forgotten.”
During his 21-year career, Pele scored a record-setting 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.
Pele, the only player to win the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962, and 1970, was chosen the Player of the Century by Fifa in 2000.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo said: A simple farewell to the immortal King Pele will never be adequate to explain the grief that currently engulfs the whole football community.
Even while we were away, his compassion for me was reciprocated in every time we spent together.
His legacy will survive eternally in the hearts of all football fans.
Former Brazilian striker and World Cup champion Ronaldo stated: “Unique, genius, technical, creative, flawless, and unparalleled. Pele has remained wherever he has traveled. Having never left the top, he is leaving us today. The one and only football king. The greatest in history.”
U.S. President Joe Biden stated, “For a sport that draws the globe together like no other, Pele’s climb from humble origins to soccer glory is a story of what is possible.”
Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro said: “Grief over the passing of a man who brought Brazil’s name to the world through football. He transformed football into an artistic and joyful endeavor.”
And president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: “I had an opportunity that younger Brazilians did not: I witnessed Pele play live at Pacaembu and Morumbi. Play, no. I witnessed Pele perform on stage. Because he constantly did something extraordinary when he had the ball, which frequently led to goals.”
Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, the international governing body of football, expressed his “heartbreak” on “a very awful day for football” and called Pele “the athlete of the century.”
He added: “The moment you were in his presence, the rest of the world ceased to exist. Today, the entire world mourns Pele, the greatest footballer in history.”
Richarlison, one of numerous contemporary Brazil players to pay respect, referred to Pele as football’s “most beautiful chapter” and stated that he “permanently altered the course of the game’s history.”
Richarlison continued, “You will always be the greatest because, despite all the obstacles you encountered 60 years ago, you accomplished what only a few people have managed to do today.”
Sir Geoff Hurst, the England World Cup champion, stated that Pele was “without a doubt the best opponent I’ve ever faced” and that he was “glad to share the field with him.”
Sir Bobby Charlton, a fellow 1966 champion, praised Pele as “a truly magical footballer and a beautiful human being.”
Former club of Pele, Santos, shared an image of a crown with the caption “forever”
Mario Zagallo, a teammate of Pele who won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962, stated: “My friend of several victories, titles, and shared anecdotes. He leaves an enduring and indelible legacy.”
Gary Lineker, a former England striker, stated that Pele will “always have footballing immortality” as “the most divine and joyful of sportsmen.”
Cafu, a former Brazil defender and World Cup winner, stated: “This news of Pele’s death is false… Pele will never die. We will never lose Pele. Pele will continue to exist forever. Pele is everlasting, Pele is King, and Pele is one-of-a-kind; he has just gone to rest.”
The Football Association will illuminate the Wembley arch with the colors of Brazil and state, “Everyone who loves football loves Pele.”
Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic winner in athletics, also paid tribute, calling Pele a “sporting great.”
The New York Cosmos, where Pele completed his club career in 1977, stated that he “began a sporting revolution in America.”
The club stated that he “helped popularise soccer throughout the United States” by stating, “Where once there were baseball diamonds, there are now soccer fields.”
The Brazilian government’s Twitter account spoke to Pele as “our tremendous Brazilian hero” who would be “immortalized by his talent.”
Kely Nascimento, the daughter of Pele, uploaded a picture of what appeared to be Pele’s family’s hands on his body in the hospital with the caption: “We are everything we are because of you. We love you inexhaustibly. Rest in peace.”
The Brazilian Football Confederation recognized him as “more than the greatest athlete ever.”
“The King gave us a new Brazil, and we are very grateful for his legacy,” read a statement.
According to Pele’s official Instagram account, he “shared what he considered to be the solution to all our problems: love.”
