Pele: The Passing of an Iconic Legend

[Webster]

(The Guardian) Pelé has died
One of the greatest footballers to ever play the game – perhaps the greatest – has died.

A statement on Pele’s official Instagram account said: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love. His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever.”

A hospital statement read: “The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein regretfully confirms the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele, today, December 29, 2022, at 3:27 pm, due to the failure of multiple organs, a result of the progression of cancer of colon associated with his previous clinical condition.

“Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein sympathizes with the family and everyone who suffers from the loss of our dear King of Football.”

 

[Webster]

 

[Webster]

(The Guardian) Speaking of tributes, here are two significant messages. Lionel Messi leads with a very simple message – “Rest in peace” – while Cristiano Ronaldo has posted: 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 Pelé 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 Pelé.”

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Pelé’s death has sparked a huge outpouring of emotion in his native Brazil, with politicians, celebrities and sporting icons uniting to celebrate Brazil’s departed king.

The Brazilian government led the tributes tweeting: “Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it”.

Brazil’s incoming president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said he believed Pelé would join a heavenly kickabout with football greats such as Garrincha, Socrates and Maradona.

“Few Brazilians carried our country’s name so far,” Lula tweeted. “However different their language was to Portuguese, foreigners from all over the planet always found a way of pronouncing the magic word: ‘Pelé’” "Thank you Pelé for all the happiness you gave us!” tweeted the samba star Zeca Pagodinho.

Pelé’s former club Santos tweeted an image of a crown alongside a single word: “Eternal”.

The mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, described Pelé as an everlasting football icon and a unique ambassador for Brazil on the world stage. “The genius and talent of the planet’s most popular King of Sport will enchant and inspire generations to come,” Paes wrote. “Thank you, Pelé! Thank you for the smiles you gave us. For the tears of emotion. For the cheers of goal Thank you for the happiness you gave the Brazilian people and the people of the world. Never was there such a beloved king,” wrote the former president Dilma Rousseff.

Brazil’s new culture minister, the singer Margareth Menezes, said her country had lost “the greatest player in history”. Brazil’s most famous football commentator Galvão Bueno tweeted: “My friend Édson has gone!! ... But not Pelé!! Pelé is eternal!!”

 

[PGen98]

Rest easy, Pele. Absolute legend!

 

[Webster]

Atlético and Elche players and fans take part in a minute’s silence in Madrid. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Sheffield Wednesday supporters pay tribute before their match with Port Vale. Photograph: Jez Tighe/ProSports/Shutterstock

 

[Nebulous]

RIP

 

[emily]

I don't really follow football, but this is sad.

82 is a good age though