Pele Hailed As "The Greatest Of All Time" As Tributes Pour In Following Brazil Legend's Death
Tributes have begun to pour in from across the soccer world following the death of Brazil legend Pele at the age of 82.
Pele remains the only man ever to have won the World Cup three times, having fired Brazil to glory in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Sao Paulo's most famous son scored 12 goals across those three World Cup tournaments.
He died as Brazil's joint top scorer of all time with 77 goals.
Pele pictured being carried by his Brazil teammates after helping them beat Italy 4-1 in the 1970 World Cup final
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Ex-England striker Geoff Hurst tweeted a tribute to Pele shortly after news of his death broke on Thursday.
Hurst wrote: "I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside).
"For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you."
Two players who have often been mentioned alongside Pele in the GOAT debate, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, also posted tributes.
Argentina captain Messi uploaded three photos of Pele to Instagram and simply wrote: "Descansa en paz, @pele."
Meanwhile, Portugal skipper Ronaldo wrote an emotional 96-word message. In it he offered his "deepest condolences to all of Brazil" and said that Pele "will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers."
Former England and Barcelona forward Gary Lineker added: "Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men.
"He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt.
"He may have left us but he'll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele".
Former Real Madrid and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil wrote: "Rest in peace to one of the greatest legends of the game.
"Your legacy will live forever. I'm sure 'Heaven FC' with Maradona and Pele together will be invincible forever".
Multiple football stars past and present, including Gary Neville and Osvaldo Ardiles, shared photographs of themselves with Pele alongside their written tributes.
Ardiles, who won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina, wrote: "The King of Kings has died. Extraordinary player. Unique. 3 times World Cup winner, more than a thousand goals. My idol when young.
"He made football the beautiful game and truly international. My time playing alongside him in [the 1981 movie] Escape to Victory was a dream come true. RIP Pele".
Tributes arrived from beyond soccer too. Olympic sprint icon Usain Bolt wrote: "A Sporting Legend. Rest in Peace King Pele".
