Published 12/30/2022, 5:00 AM EST
Over the decades, the soccer world has seen some of the best soccer players play the game. One such legend was Pele. Popularly known as the ‘O Rei’ that translates to ‘The King’. A few hours ago, the soccer universe received the news of his death.
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Several celebrities from around the world expressed their sorrow on social media. Due to his cancer, Pelé was hospitalized a month ago. The Brazilian star was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021.
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However, recently his body stopped responding to the chemotherapy. Pelé was admitted to the hospital for a “re-evaluation” of his treatment. After Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Pelé also joined everyone in celebrating the Argentine’s success on social media.
Personalities from across the world post tributes in memory of Pele
While the chants of Lionel Messi winning the World Cup continue to live on, the soccer world is now also mourning the death of O Rei. Earlier this December, the doctors from the hospital did tell the media that Pelé’s health was “improving progressively”. The death of the Brazilian soccer legend has surely hit the soccer world hard.
Let’s have a look at what celebrities and famous personalities from around the world had to say:
President Joe Biden
Barack Obama
Will Smith
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)
Dr. Naomi Campbell
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Naomi Campbell (@naomi)
KSI
Bill Clinton
Adriana Lima
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adriana Lima (@adrianalima)
Sylvester Stallone
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Russell Brand
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and Brazilian singer Anitta also expressed their grief on Instagram stories. Anitta posted a story with Pelé’s picture and wrote “R.I.P king PELÉ. Descanse em paz rei Pelé”.
How did the Brazilian legend’s career pan out?
The Brazilian star had the skills and attributes of a world-class player since the age of 17 itself. While Pelé almost spent his entire career playing in the Brazilian league, he also shone on the international stage.
Pelé is one of the few players to win three World Cups back-to-back. The Brazilian star won all his World Cups in a 12-year period. Pelé immediately caught the public eye after he won the ‘FIFA Young Player Award’ in 1958.
Pele Characters: Himself archive footage Film: Once In A Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story Of The New York Cosmos Dokumentation Usa/Uk 2006, Director: Paul Crowder & John Dower 19 May 2006 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: MaryxEvansxAFxArchivexEspnxOriginalxEntertainment 12646643 editorial use only
Many supporters think that Lionel Messi is not too far behind Pelé, who is arguably the best player to ever play the game. Several years ago, France Football conducted an ‘international re-evaluation’ to figure out the number of Ballon d’Or Pele could have won.
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To everyone’s surprise, France Football reported that the Brazilian star could have won the Ballon d’Or seven times in the first twelve years. Pele was never eligible to be nominated for the award because of its stringent geographical rules.
However, Pelé received an honorary Ballon d’Or in 2014 in recognition of his significant contributions to soccer. Soccer has always been known as ‘the beautiful game’. Soccer fans have always credited Pelé for making soccer ‘the beautiful game’.
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Do you consider any soccer player greater than Pelé? Let us know in the comments below.
“From Humble Beginnings to Soccer Legend…” – US President Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Sylvester Stallone and Hollywood Stars Pour Heartfelt Tributes to Pelé Following His Tragic Death at 82
