Respect For Pele, 'The Samba Dancer Green Square'

The late Brazilian football legend, Pele. (Photo: Instagram @pele)

JAKARTA - The world of football has lost another great legend. After Diego Maradona passed away two years ago, Pele was reported to have died at the age of 82 on Thursday, December 29.

This news certainly makes the world of football sad. Respect was given to the legend, the green field samba dancer.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino via personal Instagram, @gianni_infantino, uploaded six photos of Pele including when the man who was born on October 23, 1940 was kissing the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy which he won three times with Brazil.

"Pele: Abadi - forever with us," Infantino said in his post.

Brazil's national team star, Neymar, who this month has just matched Pele's record as Selecao's top scorer with a goal in Qatar's 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, also paid tribute via personal Instagram, @neymarjr.

"Before Pele, 10 was just a number. I've read it somewhere. But no matter how beautiful it is, the sentence is incomplete," Neymar wrote in the minutes of his upload which was opened with a photo of Pele wearing a crown.

"I would say before Pele football was just a sport. Pele changed everything. He made football an art, an entertainment. It became a voice for papa, black, and especially: look away from the world's view to Brazil. Football and Brazil's status rose thanks to the King! He left but his voice lasted. Pele forever!!"

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The Brazilian football confederation, CBF, also paid tribute to Pele through their social media.

"Pele goes beyond just the best sportsman of all time. Our Football King is the highest symbol of a Brazilian winner who is never afraid to face difficulties," said a cut from a CBF upload on Instagram, @cbf_futebol, in Portuguese.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, also expressed his condolences. In his official statement, the IOC President said the world had lost its great sporting icon and football had lost its king.

"With Pele's departure, the world has lost a great sporting icon," IOC president Thomas Bach said on Twitter as quoted by AFP.

"As I can feel myself, he is a person who truly believes in the Olympic values and the proud Olympic fire carrier. It is an honor to present the Olimpic Order to him."

Pele was named an athlete of the century by the IOC in 1999 and was respected by the Olympic Order, the Olympic Movement's highest award, in 2016.

"Football has lost its king," the IOC said in a statement of respect.

"Pele, a versatile footballer with a special talent, wins fans across all continents of the world. He plays an important role in the revival of football to the most popular sporting position on the planet."

Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele was being treated, said the legend had died "due to a number of organ failures due to colon cancer development and some previous medical conditions."