—- 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!!”

Kylian Mbappe: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.”

Sir Geoff Hurst: “I have so many memories of Pele without doubt the best footballer I ever played against. For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thankyou.”

Sir Bobby Charlton: “Pele was a truly magical footballer and a wonderful human being. It was an honour to have shared a pitch with him and I send my sincerest condolences to his family, friends and the Brazilian people.”

Richarlison: “Today Football Says Goodbye to its most beautiful chapter. From the guy who charmed the world and changed the history of the game forever. You will always be the greatest, because 60 years ago, with all the difficulties you faced, you already did what a few can do today. The guy who dedicated his thousandth goal to the children and made our country realise we could do much more. You are eternal! Thank you and May God receive you with open arms.”

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.”

Manchester United: “Thankyou for the joy you brought to football fans around the world.”

Denis Law: “Pele was an ­unbelievable footballer; he had style, grace, flair and made everything look so easy. The precision in the way he played made him such a joy to watch. However more than anything he was a good man with a great ­presence and a fantastic smile.”

England captain Harry Kane: “Pele was a true inspiration and one of the greatest to ever play the game. Rest in peace.”

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.”

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