Before Pele, "10" was just a number. I read that phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But that phrase, beautiful, is incomplete. I'd say before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: It gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have elevated their status thanks to the King! He's gone, but his magic will remain.
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Brazil captain THIAGO SILVA, on Instagram
Rest in peace 'Rei', God bless all his family"
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"The king of football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten," French superstar KYLIAN MBAPPE said on Twitter, posting a black and white photo of himself together with Pelé.
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Argentina's World Cup winner LIONEL MESSI Messi posted a picture on Instagram of him with Pele with the message: "Rest in peace, @pele."
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CRISTIANO RONALDO posted a picture of him receiving an award from Pele and wrote: "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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"Your place is on God's side. My eternal king. Rest in peace." — 1970 World Cup winner ROBERTO RIVELLINO and teammate of Pele on the Brazil national team.
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Manchester City forward ERLING HAALAND - who on Wednesday night became the quickest player to 20 Premier League goals with his brace against Leeds - paid tribute to the Brazil great.
"Everything you see any player doing, Pele did it first," the 22-year-old said on Twitter.
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-- Former Germany captain Franz BECKENBAUER played alongside Pele for the Cosmos.
"Today, football lost the greatest man in its history - and I lost a unique friend," Beckenbauer said on the Bayern Munich website.
"Born in Tres Coracoes, Pele had three hearts: for football, for his family and for all people. Someone who played with the stars and always stayed down to earth.
"I went to the US in 1977 because I really wanted to play on a team with Pele at New York Cosmos. This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career.
"We became US champions together right away, and Pele then just called me his brother. It was an unimaginable honour for me. Football will always belong to you! you will always remain Thank you for your game, O Rei!"
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Sir BOBBY CHARLTON played against Pele at the World Cup and said in a statement: "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."
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--"Today football says goodbye to its most beautiful chapter. The man 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 only a few can do today. The man who dedicated his 1000th goal to children and made our country discover it could be much more." - Brazil player RICHARLISON.
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