Sir Geoff Hurst calls Pele the ‘best footballer I ever played against’
Sir Geoff Hurst calls Pele the ‘greatest of all time’ after his death at the age of 82, as Gary Lineker describes the Brazilian legend as ‘the most divine of footballers and joyous of men’ and Marcus Rashford simply says: ‘Rest easy king’
Tributes are pouring in from the football world and beyond after Brazilian legend Pele died at the age of 82.
Gary Lineker and Sir Geoff Hurst were among those to post on social media after Pele’s passing was announced on Thursday following the three-time World Cup winner’s battle with colon cancer.
Hurst said: ‘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 the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.’
Sir Geoff Hurst paid tribute to Pele with a heartfelt post on social media following the Brazilian’s passing
Gary Lineker also took to Twitter following the death of Pele at the age of 82
Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and his death will be mourned across the world
Lineker also paid tribute to a player who many feel was the greatest of all time.
‘Pele has died,’ the former England international wrote. ‘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.’
Marcus Rashford simply said: ‘Rest easy king’, along with a picture of Pele with the World Cup trophy.
It was later confirmed that the Wembley arch would be be lit up in the colours of Brazil as a tribute to the 82-year-old legend.
France star Kylian Mbappe said alongside a photo with the Brazilian: ‘The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.’
Tributes also came in from beyond football. Legendary Jamaican athlete and world-record holder Usain Bolt said: ‘A sporting legend. Rest in peace King Pele.’
Pele, a man who transcended his sport and was a global icon, learned that his colon cancer had advanced on December 21 and was told he would be kept in hospital over Christmas – with the iconic forward needing treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.
Previously he had been admitted to the hospital on November 30 with swelling all over his body and ‘decompensated heart failure’ before passing away a month on after receiving palliative care.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: ‘We are thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.’
Nascimento, who had posted before Christmas that members of Pele’s family would spend the holiday period in the hospital with him, added three heartbroken emojis.
No details have been made public yet about the funeral, but a vigil will be held at Vila Belmiro in Santos, the city where the great will be buried.
Pele, who had been undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer, went into the Albert Einstein hospital in what was an unscheduled visit after being taken by his wife Marcia Aoki and a carer.
Medical staff at the Einstein confirmed his condition of anasarca (general swelling), an edemigemic syndrome (general edema) and even identified ‘decompensated heart failure’.
It had also been reported that his chemotherapy treatment on his cancer was no longer working, while he was diagnosed with mental confusion upon entering the hospital, where he was restless.
More to follow.