When they learned of Pele’s passing, football players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each sent their own heartfelt tributes.
Lionel Messi, the World Cup champion for Argentina, shared a photo of himself with Pele on Instagram along with the phrase, “Rest in peace, @pele.”
Three images were released with it, two of Messi and Pele and one of the legendary Brazilian celebrating his goal against Italy in the 1970 World Cup final.
In a photo of him with Pele presenting him with an award, former Man Utd and Real Madrid player Ronaldo wrote: “My heartfelt sympathies to everyone 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 the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever.
“The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
Along with the late Diego Maradona, the three football superstars are regarded as some of the sport’s all-time best players.
Kely Nascimento, Pele’s daughter, announced her father’s passing on Sunday night with a farewell image of the legend’s family holding his hand.
She wrote: “Everything we are is thanks to you we love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
After a fight with colon cancer, Pele passed away on Sunday night in the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, accompanied by his family.
Pele, known as The King, was the only player in football history to win three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970.
A Guinness World Record has been established for his incredible total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendly.
For the national team, he scored a stunning 77 goals in 92 appearances.
